Arsenic and Rice

Judy Buenoano, aka the “Black Widow” decided that arsenic was her friend.  She used it to poison her husband and a boyfriend and collect life insurance money.  Obviously, arsenic is horrible.  But wait, we use arsenic (Trisenox®) to treat cancer.  So it must be good for us.  So what is it, a horrible poison or a lifesaving pharmaceutical? 

 This week I have had two family members ask me about the report of arsenic in rice.  According to Consumer Reports arsenic has been found in high levels in rice.  (ABC News report)  Brown rice more than white.  Arkansas rice more than California.  Urvashi Rangan, director of consumer safety and sustainability at Consumer Reports, said "we think that consumers ought to take steps to moderate their consumption."  Consumer Reports even threw chickens under the bus for having arsenic in their feed.  For a more balanced report read this FDA update.    “It is critical to not get ahead of the science,” says Michael R. Taylor, FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods. “The FDA's ongoing data collection and other assessments will give us a solid scientific basis for determining what steps are needed to reduce exposure to arsenic in rice and rice products.”  Good, now I can get back to eating more than just Raisin Bran Crunch.  

 Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is ubiquitous in the environment.  It is in our soil, our water and our food.  We breathe it and ingest it every day.  In large doses it can kill and it is a known carcinogen.  But at what dose is it a problem?  As with everything the “dose makes the poison”.  The FDA is continually investigating to set safe levels.  But logic tells me we are safe where we are at.  Rice is a food staple worldwide.  Eat in Uganda, Mexico or China and rice will be on your plate.  So how is it the world is over-populated if rice is so bad for you? 

By now you are totally confused.  To eat rice or not?  Here is one more item for you to read to help you make up your mind.    Maybe my dinner tonight will be a chicken breast on a bed of rice.  Yum.  But I will not be drinking apple juice for breakfast, there’s poison in it!