Victor Shamas, Ph.D.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • The Inspiring Playbook
  • Deep Creativity
  • Media
  • TEDx
  • Global Chant
  • Books & CDs
  • Repose
  • AUM Tantra
  • The Pledge
  • PlayHaven
  • Wave1
  • The Chanter's Guide
  • The Way of Play
  • Intuition Study
  • About
  • Inspiring
  • Beatles Video
  • Fountain

Arsenic Levels in Rice

11/18/2014

0 Comments

 
Today, we found out about a Consumer Reports study (see video below) showing dangerously high levels of arsenic in rice grown in the U.S. It seems that the problem is limited to rice grown in the Southeastern states. Brown rice from those places is much higher in arsenic than white rice, which has had the hull removed. Basmati and other varieties of rice grown in California, India, and Pakistan do not pose the same risk. Also, other grains like quinoa, millet, and amaranth do not appear to be affected.

After learning of Consumer Reports' findings on arsenic levels in rice, I contacted Lundberg Farms, one of the leading producers of organic rice products. Their response is below. If you buy their packaged rice in 1-, 2-, or 12-lb bags, you will not be exposed to any of the potentially tainted rice from Southern farms. However, their processed rice products may contain some of the questionable rice. I would recommend staying away from those products, as well as their wild rice and their 25-lb bags of Basmati, Jasmine, and long grain rice. Some stores, like Whole Foods and Sprouts, carry Lundberg rice in their bulk foods section. I will find out tomorrow what risk is associated with those products and I will update my blog when I hear back. In the meantime, you can read the Lundberg Farms response to my email here:

"Thank you for your interest in our products.  The majority of the rice used in our products comes from California. All of the rice in our 1 pound, 2 pound and 12 pound packaged rice, with the exception of wild rice, comes from California. In addition, our rice bowls, 25 pound bags labeled as “California rice”, roasted brown rice couscous, risotto, and rice cakes contain exclusively California rice.

"Occasionally, when the available rice supply in California is not sufficient to meet the demand, we work with our rice grower and processor partners located in the Southern United States. This generally happens when we have challenging growing conditions that reduce yields in the field, or when demand grows substantially faster than we anticipate. Currently, the products we sell that may utilize rice from other US rice growing regions are: 25 pound bags of American Basmati (white and brown), 25 pound bags of American Jasmine (white and brown), and 25 pound bags of Long Grain (white and brown), rice syrup, rice chips, and rice pasta. Additionally, much of our wild rice comes from growers in Minnesota.

"We do test our rice for arsenic and are sharing the results on our website.  I will provide two links that will answer your questions:

·        http://www.lundberg.com/info/arsenic-in-food/  this  link takes you to our arsenic in food section

·        http://www.lundberg.com/info/arsenic-in-food/  this link takes you directly to our arsenic testing results page

"Please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions after reviewing the information we share."

 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    I want to hear from you! Please share  your questions and comments. And sign up for my newsletter, where I will pass along the insights, ideas, and inspiration that come my way.
    Picture

    Contact me:

    ​Email
    Facebook
    Twitter

    Archives

    November 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    January 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    October 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • The Inspiring Playbook
  • Deep Creativity
  • Media
  • TEDx
  • Global Chant
  • Books & CDs
  • Repose
  • AUM Tantra
  • The Pledge
  • PlayHaven
  • Wave1
  • The Chanter's Guide
  • The Way of Play
  • Intuition Study
  • About
  • Inspiring
  • Beatles Video
  • Fountain