BfR
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Annual Report 2014
42
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Parents are advised not
to feed their babies or
toddlers exclusively with
rice-based drinks or food
such as creamed rice.
Arsenic in rice and rice products
Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in different
concentrations in the earth's crust throughout the world.
It can be released through natural processes or human
activity. In areas with particularly arsenic-rich sediments,
high arsenic levels in ground water used for the produc-
tion of drinking water can pose risks to health. Plants can
also absorb arsenic from the soil through their roots.
It is known that rice can contain more arsenic in inorgan-
ic form (inorganic arsenic) than other plant-based foods,
including other cereal types. The levels of arsenic in rice
depend on a number of factors. These include the arse-
nic content of the soil and the irrigation water, the type
of rice, and the processing and preparation of the rice.
The toxicity of arsenic is primarily determined by the
compound in question; inorganic arsenic compounds
are highly toxic while organic arsenic compounds are
less harmful to human health. Epidemiological studies
show that the level of regular intake of inorganic arsenic
in drinking water correlates among other things with the
degree of risk of developing certain types of cancer. The
carcinogenic mechanism of inorganic arsenic is not fully
clear either. Nevertheless, there is a consensus within
the scientific community that it is not possible to define
a safe intake level that is not associated with a possible
increase in the risk of cancer. For this reason, inorganic
arsenic in any amount is not desired in food.
Analyses by the authorities of the federal states respon-
sible for monitoring confirmed that rice and rice prod-
ucts such as rice cakes or creamed rice for children can
contain relatively high levels of inorganic arsenic. Con-
siderably higher levels were detected in some of these
rice products as compared to rice. These findings are
consistent with statements from the EFSA and authori-
ties of other EU member states. The BfR has assessed
the health risk posed by the intake of inorganic arsenic
compounds through the consumption of rice and rice
products for different consumer groups based on the
data from the federal states. The result showed that it is
possible that the consumption of rice and rice products
with the measured arsenic levels over longer periods of
time may increase the risk of cancer in consumers. This
was based on a model (scenario) for long-term exposure
on the basis of the consumption levels of rice and rice
products usual in Germany.
For this reason, the levels of inorganic arsenic in food
should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA
principle) in order to reduce the exposure of consum-
ers of all age groups to inorganic arsenic. The European
Commission's decision to introduce maximum levels of
inorganic arsenic in rice and certain rice products in the
common market is a first step in this direction.
As an additional measure, the BfR proposes consump-
tion recommendations. For example, parents should not
feed their infants or toddlers exclusively with creamed
rice or rice milk and should offer snacks such as rice
cakes only occasionally. Consumers, including those
with a gluten intolerance, should avoid nutrition focusing
solely on rice and rice products. Rice should remain part
of a balanced diet, however. When selecting food items,
consumers should observe the general recommendation
of a varied and diverse diet, particularly in terms of the
types of cereal they consume.
Rice and rice products can contain inorganic arsenic.
