Reducing the Risk From Arsenic in Rice

For our latest tests, we analyzed total and inorganic arsenic levels in two to three samples each of 52 different rice products—arborio, basmati, brown, jasmine, sushi, white, and precooked microwavable types, as well as rice side dishes with seasoning. We also tested for cadmium, lead, and mercury. 

CR’s experts calculated the number of servings adults and children can have of each product per week, based on the range of inorganic arsenic levels we found and our analysis of cancer risk from arsenic exposure. We used a method the EPA uses for toxins like arsenic to estimate how many additional cancer cases would result from exposure to a given level of a toxin, and chose a moderate level of protection that balances safety and feasibility. These calculations are based on standard estimates of body weight for adults and children. When setting our recommended serving sizes for children, we were especially cautious, given arsenic’s effects during critical phases of their development. (For more details on how we tested and our risk assessment, see our methodology sheet. [PDF])

We found detectable levels of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in all 142 samples we tested, and lead in 66 of them.

While there are no federal arsenic limits for rice, the FDA has set a limit (which the agency calls an action level) of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals. When these cereals exceed that level, the FDA may take various enforcement actions, including working with companies to recall products the agency deems unsafe. Seventeen of the products we tested averaged 100 ppb or more. Given that there is no safe level of inorganic arsenic, CR believes the FDA should set limits for all rice products.

In the chart below, the rice products are grouped by category. Within each category, they’re listed in order of most to least inorganic arsenic. (The values have been rounded.) We also list the number of servings our experts recommend an adult and a child can have each week based on the products’ inorganic arsenic content. For white and brown rice, a serving is ¼ cup dry (45 to 50 grams). For rice in microwavable pouches (which are precooked), it is 1 cup cooked (140 to 150 grams). Our findings were a spot check of the market and should not be used to draw definitive conclusions about specific brands.

CR sent questions to rice companies that had at least one product with inorganic arsenic at 100 ppb or more and/or 0.5 mcg of lead in our tests, asking whether they take steps to minimize arsenic levels or test for heavy metals. 

Lundberg sent us detailed responses to our questions. Four of the five products we tested from this California company were below 100 ppb. The fifth, Lundberg Organic Cilantro Lime Rice, was slightly over that for inorganic arsenic, and also contained more than 0.5 mcg of lead. We determined that the inorganic arsenic and lead in this product came primarily from the spice mix.

The company said it tests its rice for heavy metals annually as it comes in from the fields, using a third-party laboratory. “Our arsenic results are less than half the daily No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) established by California’s Proposition 65, which is one of the strictest limits set by regulatory agencies,” the company said. (That level is 10 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per day. Our methodology sheet lists micrograms per serving for all of the rice.) “We publish the results, and our results consistently fall well below the limits set by regulatory agencies.” 

Regarding the testing of the spices it uses in products, Lundberg said: “We require our approved suppliers to have routine monitoring programs for heavy metals that meet regulatory and industry requirements.” The company added: “ Spices are an important part of global cuisine; however, they are consumed in very small quantities. Based on this context, global regulatory bodies have concluded that spices remain safe for human consumption.”

Walmart said: “We are committed to providing safe, high-quality products, and work continuously with our suppliers to review and ensure standards are met.”

Whole Foods Market said: “We have rigorous testing requirements for heavy metals in our 365 by Whole Foods Market rice products. All our products referenced in your testing fall below the safe harbor limits established under California’s Proposition 65— the most stringent warning regulation in the United States.”

Nishiki said its rice is grown and milled in California and complies with California regulations. It also said that it tests its rice for heavy metals. 

Ben’s Original, BJ’s, Carolina, Goya, Iberia, Mahatma, Near East, Rice-A-Roni, Roland, and Target did not respond to our request for comment.

Arsenic is an element that’s widely found in the Earth’s crust in different forms. But much of the arsenic in soil and water comes from industrial use. Inorganic arsenic is a component of some pressure-treated wood and was once used in pesticides sprayed on cotton fields and orchards. Many arsenic-containing pesticides were banned in the 1980s, but the residues linger in the environment. As a result, arsenic works its way into our water supply and soil, and eventually into our bodies through food and drink. 

Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen and is also linked to other health problems, especially for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of heavy metals. (Note, in this context, that organic and inorganic are chemistry terms and don’t refer to the “organic” claim you see on foods. Also, arsenic is technically a metalloid, with both metal and nonmetal properties, though it’s often referred to as a heavy metal.)

Rice isn’t the only crop that contains arsenic, but there are two factors that make it particularly susceptible to contamination, according to Angelia Seyfferth, PhD, a professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University who researches soil biogeochemistry. First, rice is often grown in flooded areas, which causes soil to release arsenic into the water, where it’s absorbed through the plant’s roots. Second, rice is a silicon hyperaccumulator—it tries to absorb as much silicon as it can from soil because that nutrient is vital to the plant. But arsenic has a similar chemical structure to silicon, so it sneaks in through the same pathway, especially in areas with silicon-deficient soil. According to some estimates, rice picks up 10 times more arsenic than other crops grown in similar soil. 

And there are reasons to think the problem could be getting worse. According to a 2025 study published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health, rice grown in hotter conditions with more carbon dioxide in the surrounding air—modeling the effects of climate change and rising global temperatures—absorbed significantly more inorganic arsenic. By 2050, this could lead to tens of millions more cancer cases, according to the study authors.

Arsenic accumulates in all parts of the rice grain, but it concentrates in the outer bran layer. Because brown rice contains the bran, it generally has more arsenic than white rice of the same type. To make white rice, manufacturers polish the grains to remove the outer layers, thereby reducing the amount of arsenic. Parboiled rice types, which are partially boiled in the outer husk before drying and polishing, also tend to contain higher levels of inorganic arsenic.

“Anybody who is eating rice regularly is going to be exposed to arsenic,” says Ana Navas-Acien, MD, PhD, a physician and epidemiologist who is the Leon Hess Professor and chair of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York. “The more you eat, the higher that level is going to be.” 

Nearly 40 percent of Americans consume rice at least once a week, according to a 2016 analysis from the Food and Drug Administration. Many people, including those in African, Caribbean, Asian, and Latino families, often eat rice more frequently, in some cases daily. Overall, rice contributes about 17 percent of inorganic arsenic in the U.S. diet, more than any other single food, according to an Environmental Protection Agency study published in 2010. 

Exposure to arsenic from rice is going to be reflected in the body, Navas-Acien says. Back in 2012, she analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for CR’s first investigation into arsenic in rice. In that analysis, people who ate more rice expelled more arsenic in their urine, showing they were exposed to higher levels of the metal. Arsenic levels were 44 percent higher among those eating one serving of rice or rice products in a 24-hour period than they were among those who had no rice. Those who had two servings had levels 70 percent higher. 

We still need more research to determine how rice consumption specifically is linked to disease risk—most studies on arsenic and health have focused on exposure through drinking water, Navas-Acien says. But we know that inorganic arsenic—whether it’s in rice or water—is linked to a long list of health problems. These include an increased risk of several cancers (bladder, lung, and skin); type 2 diabetes; and heart, kidney, and respiratory diseases. It’s also been linked to stillbirth, neurodevelopmental effects, and lower IQ scores in children. 

Exposures during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood pose the most serious health risks, says Jane Houlihan, research director at Healthy Babies Bright Futures, who has helped HBBF conduct research on arsenic in rice. Developing bodies and brains are especially sensitive to the effects of heavy metals, and kids’ lower body weights mean they are exposed to higher levels of arsenic from each serving of rice. 

These health effects of arsenic show why it’s so important for people—especially those who are particularly vulnerable—to be aware of arsenic in their diets and why CR’s food safety experts believe regulators need to set limits for arsenic in foods.

Various factors, such as growing conditions and when the crop is harvested, can affect the arsenic content of rice, and it is possible that other lots of a product aside from those tested by CR could have different inorganic arsenic levels.

The location where rice was grown also matters. In our latest tests, we didn’t have enough data to analyze differences among regions. But in 2014, we found that basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, along with sushi rice from the U.S., had the least inorganic arsenic. Rice grown in the South Central U.S. (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas) had higher levels. Soil in the South Central U.S. is sandier than soil in a place like California, and that sandier soil is generally more likely to release arsenic than soil with more clay, according to Seyfferth. In its 2025 study, HBBF found the lowest inorganic arsenic levels in rice from California, India, and Thailand, with higher levels in rice from Southeastern U.S. states like Arkansas or Texas, or just labeled “U.S.”

For those reasons, the safest approach for people extremely concerned about limiting arsenic is to stick with the rice recommendations we set based on our 2014 testing. Note that a serving is ¼ cup of rice, dry.

• Maximum five servings per week of white basmati rice grown in California, India, or Pakistan, or of sushi rice for adults and 2¾ servings for children.

• Maximum 2¾ servings per week of any other type of rice for adults and 1¼ servings for children.

However, for people who eat a lot of rice, these recommendations may seem excessively strict. “In those cases, we recommend choosing among the brands with the lowest inorganic arsenic levels in our tests,” CR’s Rogers says. “Since no amount of arsenic is considered safe, everyone should take steps to minimize arsenic exposure from the rice they eat.” People who eat rice frequently can also consider using a cooking method that reduces arsenic levels; more on that below.

The levels of heavy metals in foods shouldn’t cause panic, says Maida Galvez, MD, a professor of environmental medicine and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Food is likely just a small part of overall exposure. Still, she says, it’s worth taking steps to opt for foods with less arsenic when you can. 

The harmful effects from arsenic are cumulative from exposure over time, Akinleye says. By the same token, taking any consistent steps to avoid inorganic arsenic adds up over time and minimizes your risks. “Even making small changes to reduce exposure could have a big impact on risk for cancer and other diseases over the course of a lifetime,” Akinleye says.

It’s important to make sure you’re eating enough fruits and vegetables and fulfilling overall nutrition recommendations, says arsenic researcher Navas-Acien. Some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains can help the body eliminate arsenic. These include folate, vitamins A, B12, C, and E, selenium, and polyphenols and other antioxidants. Getting adequate protein is also helpful.

As our testing shows, certain types of rice tend to have far less inorganic arsenic, and may be better options—especially if you are feeding rice to babies or children. White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and white sushi rice tend to have the lowest levels. For those who prefer brown rice, basmati options had lower levels than other varieties we tested.

In addition to testing heavy metal levels in rice and other grains, our team tested three cooking methods reputed to reduce arsenic levels: agitating the rice in a bowl of water for 5 minutes, then cooking in fresh water; soaking the rice for 30 minutes, then cooking in fresh water; and adding rice to boiling water, cooking 5 minutes, and then draining the rice and cooking it in fresh water—known as the parboiling and absorption method. We also used the typical absorption method—not rinsing the rice and cooking it in an amount of water that’s absorbed—as a control. 

The first two preparations did not remove much arsenic—5 percent or less. But the parboiling and absorption method reduced the inorganic arsenic content in short- and long-grain brown and white rice by 50 and 58 percent, respectively. This could be a very effective strategy for families looking to reduce arsenic exposure while still eating rice. “In some cultures, people already prepare rice this way, and it appears to have a protective effect,” Akinleye says. There is also data from other studies indicating that cooking rice like pasta and discarding the excess water can remove between 40 and 60 percent of the arsenic in rice, according to the FDA.

These products are convenient because the rice and the seasoning are packaged together, but we found that in some cases, spice mixes can contribute a significant amount of lead to the diet. If you choose to buy them, consider using half (or less) of the seasoning packet to reduce your exposure to heavy metals. This step will also cut the sodium in these products; four of the six rice side dishes in our tests had 500 mg or more per serving. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 mg per day.

Mixing other grains into your diet is good for nutritional variety and is far less likely to expose you to significant levels of heavy metals than rice, our testing shows. We tested 10 varieties of whole grains and seeds eaten as whole grains— amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, farro, millet, oats, polenta (cornmeal), quinoa, and sorghum—and found that even the grain with the highest inorganic arsenic levels (oats) had less than a quarter of the inorganic arsenic as sushi rice, the rice with the least inorganic arsenic overall in our tests. (See the list of the products we tested below.) A few of these had more cadmium than some of the rice we tested, but even quinoa, which had the most cadmium, didn’t exceed our level of concern. Based on the low levels we found, we have not set maximum weekly servings for these grains. From a nutritional perspective, many of these contain more fiber and nutrients than white rice, providing even more reason to mix them into your and your family’s diet.

You need to use water to make rice, and depending on where you live, arsenic contamination in drinking water can be a real concern, CR tests have shown—plus, eating rice with higher arsenic levels and drinking water with high levels of inorganic arsenic compounds your exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency has set a limit of 10 ppb for total arsenic in tap water, but experts from CR and other advocacy groups have called for a limit of 3 ppb or lower. Many cities publish a consumer confidence report (CCR) for municipal water, typically including information on arsenic and lead; call your utility, check its website, or use the EPA’s search tool to obtain one. If you have a well, have your water tested for contaminants, Galvez says. If levels are high, CR recommends using a water filter that’s NSF-certified to remove arsenic and lead.

Perhaps the biggest question is what—after being aware of the issue for more than a decade—government regulators and manufacturers should do to reduce arsenic levels in rice.

There’s clear evidence that setting limits can help. For example, inorganic arsenic levels in infant rice cereal declined after the FDA first set an action level of 100 ppb in 2016 (these draft levels were finalized in 2020). Between 2011 and 2013, 64 percent of the samples of infant rice cereals tested by the FDA had more than 100 ppb of inorganic arsenic. By 2018, just 24 percent of the samples tested did, according to the agency. 

But for children under age 2, rice itself—not rice cereal—is the main dietary source of arsenic exposure, according to the Healthy Babies Bright Futures report. 

We contacted the FDA for comment on our findings and asked whether it had plans to set limits on all rice, but the agency did not respond. 

We asked the U.S. Rice Federation about methods that the industry uses to reduce arsenic in rice. Michael Klein, a spokesperson for the group, said: “The U.S. rice industry has been studying arsenic uptake for more than a decade, sharing data and findings with the scientific and regulatory community and the public, and we will continue to look for, and promote, agronomic mitigation techniques.” 

Rice growers have shown willingness to adopt some new practices that help, according to Seyfferth. In most cases, growers already use strains of rice that are less likely to take up arsenic. Growing rice in dry or sometimes dry conditions can also cut arsenic levels. From her research, Seyfferth estimates that a version of this practice is now used in about 20 percent of rice-growing acres in Arkansas. Instead of growing rice in fully flooded conditions, farmers are planting rice in furrowed fields they previously used for soybeans. This saves them time since they don’t have to level the fields to use them for rice, and only the furrows are flooded. This means only about half the rice is grown below the water line, so less of the crop is exposed to arsenic from flooded soil.

Research points to additional strategies that could minimize arsenic levels in rice even further. These include growing rice in dry fields that are flooded once or twice per year before being drained again, or adding silicon to soil in areas that lack it (the latter also boosts rice-growing yields).

Setting a public health-based limit for inorganic arsenic in rice could help protect vulnerable populations against the pernicious effects of heavy metals, says Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “Our results show that lower levels in rice are feasible, and every effort should be made to reduce these levels as much as possible.” Even the rice we tested with the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic still contains enough of it that eating more than six servings a week could expose adults to increased cancer risk. “Arsenic is unsafe, even at low levels,” he says, “and reducing exposure should be a priority for growers and regulators.”