Consumer Reports Finds Arsenic in Every Rice Product Tested: What Sacramento Cooks Should Know

Rice is one of the most common foods in Sacramento kitchens, from the sushi counters on J Street to the rice bowls you grab before a Kings game. That’s why a new Consumer Reports investigation is worth a look. The group tested 52 rice products and found measurable inorganic arsenic in every single sample. Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen linked to skin and bladder cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems, and more than 40% of the products tested had levels that could raise long-term risk from just one daily serving.

The type of rice matters. Brown rice generally tested higher than white rice because arsenic concentrates in the bran layer that gets polished away. Basmati and sushi rice tended to come in lower, making them the safer everyday picks. There’s also a cooking method that helps: rinse the rice, boil it in extra water for about five minutes, drain it, then finish it in fresh water. Consumer Reports says that can significantly reduce how much arsenic ends up on your plate.

Consumer Reports is calling on the FDA to set arsenic limits on all rice products, but the agency has not responded. Lundberg and Whole Foods both said their rice meets California’s Proposition 65 safety limits, one of the strictest standards in the country. Until federal rules catch up, the practical steps are simple: vary your grains, choose lower-arsenic varieties more often, and change how you cook. Will you try the rinse-and-drain method at home this week?