Concerning Levels of Arsenic Found in Rice and Rice Products - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Concerning levels of arsenic have been found in tests of more than 200 samples of rice and rice products, according to Consumer Reports.

According to the report, inorganic arsenic, which is a known human carcinogen, was found in most of the name brands and other rice product samples. Levels varied, but were significant in some samples.

While there are federal limits for arsenic in drinking water, there aren't many standards for arsenic in food. Earlier this year, Consumer Reports found worrisome levels of arsenic in apple and grape juices and called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set limits for arsenic in those juices. Based on its latest findings and analysis, Consumer Reports is asking the government to take additional steps, including urging the FDA to set limits for arsenic in rice and rice products.

"The goal of our report is to inform-not alarm-consumers about the importance of reducing arsenic exposure and offer actions they can take moving forward, such as limiting their rice consumption," said Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., Director of Safety and Sustainability at Consumer Reports. "Given what we now know about arsenic's increasing role in contributing to multiple cancers and other serious health effects, the government needs to regulate arsenic in food. This includes setting standards and banning the practices that persistently deliver arsenic into our food and water supply."