Arsenic levels in rice

[izzzi]

HI,

The latest news regarding Arsenic levels in rice may cause concern. Does this mean that we should should avoid rice altogether or just make sure it just basmati.

You can find information on Google.
Is this just another scare to increase the price pasta and potatoes.

I was of the understanding that a apple seeds still contains higher levls of Arsenic than a large quantity of rice.

Roy.

 

[dawnmc]

It would appear that arsenic is in the ground anyway, but made worse by using pesticides. As basmati is grown the same way I would have thought it has the same amount as any other rice, mind you its grown in India so think you would have to find out what they use as a pesticide if they indeed do .
I haven't touched rice since diagnosis.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

As far as I am aware the only concern is with rice grown in a couple of southern US states where cotton had previously been grown, arsenic was commonly used as a pesticide to control the boll weevel which used to decimate cotton crops

I personally dont eat any American rice anyway as I only eat basmati rice and have done for years, way before becoming diabetic.

I suppose the answer is to not eat any American rice if you are concerned.

 

[dawnmc]

Arsenic is naturally in the ground (and air, its a mineral) and as rice is grown in the ground it stands to reason that its going to enter the food chain. Brown rice is apparently more contaminated than white rice cos of the way its processed.
However we have been eating it for a long time so who knows, like everything take it in moderation.
Also be aware that the chinese you ate isn't what gave you the dodgy tummy its the cooling rice it grows bacteria. It has to be piping hot.

 

[izzzi]

I am so pleased that there are more intelligent experts on this forum than elsewhere.

Brilliant and thanks.

Roy.

 

[viviennem]

Dawnmc is right, cooked rice has an enormous total surface area for bacteria to grow on, it's best never to re-heat it. Always cook only what you need.

Arsenic in small quantities is excellent for the hair and skin. Some of the steppe nomads used to feed it to their horses to give them glossy coats :wink: . It's possible to build up an immunity to it by eating small but increasing doses and then poison someone else by adding enough to your meal to kill them but not you. (Dorothy L Sayers, Strong Poison. Her research is good).

Viv 8)

 

[dawnmc]

Glad you had a quote Viv otherwise we might have thought you were an expert :wink: :wink: