Dangerous Levels of Arsenic and Cadmium Found in Popular Rice Brands, New Report Warns

BREAKING Plant-Based News

The Vegan’s Voice - May 15, 2025 - A new report has revealed that many store-bought rice products in the United States contain potentially dangerous levels of arsenic and cadmium—two toxic heavy metals linked to serious long-term health effects. Released on May 15, 2025, by the nonprofit Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), the report examined 145 samples from more than 100 rice brands commonly found in U.S. grocery stores. The findings are alarming for families who consider rice a safe and staple part of their diet.

Toxic Metals Found in Nearly Every Sample

According to the study, arsenic was detected in every single sample tested. More than 25% of the samples exceeded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, which is 100 parts per billion (ppb). Cadmium was also present in nearly every sample, with some showing levels high enough to raise concern among health experts.

Both arsenic and cadmium are naturally occurring elements, but their concentrations are significantly elevated in some agricultural environments due to pesticide use, industrial pollution, and contaminated irrigation water. Over time, rice plants absorb these metals from the soil and water, concentrating them in the edible grain. Long-term exposure to these metals, even at low levels, has been associated with increased risks of cancer, kidney and liver damage, and developmental issues in children.

Dr. Jane Houlihan, HBBF’s research director, stated, “We tested rice because it's a common food in children’s diets and a major source of arsenic exposure. What we found is a widespread and preventable public health threat.”

Safer Varieties and the Economic Tradeoff

While the findings raise serious red flags, the report also identified rice varieties that consistently tested lower for heavy metals. California-grown rice, Thai jasmine rice, and Indian basmati rice were found to contain significantly lower levels of arsenic and cadmium compared to rice grown in the southern United States, particularly from states like Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

However, cost is a significant factor. The safer varieties—especially the imported jasmine and basmati rices—are considerably more expensive. On average, they cost $0.53 per serving compared to just $0.10 per serving for conventional U.S.-grown rice. This price gap makes healthier choices inaccessible to many low-income families.

Further complicating the issue, new U.S. tariffs on imported rice varieties, implemented in April 2025, are set to increase prices even more. These tariffs, aimed at protecting domestic agriculture, will disproportionately affect the cost of Thai jasmine and Indian basmati rice, two of the lowest-contamination options available to American consumers.

Health Experts Call for Stronger Regulation

The FDA currently enforces a limit only for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, but there are no enforceable limits for arsenic in rice products consumed by older children or adults. Nor are there any limits for cadmium. HBBF is urging the FDA to take stronger action by establishing legally binding limits on both metals for all rice products and by requiring regular testing and consumer labeling.

“The current system places the burden on consumers to figure out which rice is safest,” said Houlihan. “That’s unacceptable. Regulatory agencies should ensure that all rice sold in the U.S. meets basic safety standards.”

Environmental health researchers have long called for stricter oversight of heavy metals in food, pointing to mounting evidence that exposure through diet can contribute to long-term public health costs. A 2023 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that dietary exposure to arsenic was associated with measurable declines in IQ among children. Cadmium, meanwhile, is known to accumulate in the body over time and can damage bones, kidneys, and reproductive organs.

Practical Steps for Safer Consumption

In light of these findings, health advocates are urging consumers to take steps to reduce their exposure. HBBF recommends the following:

1. Choose Safer Varieties: When possible, opt for California-grown, Thai jasmine, or Indian basmati rice, which tend to have lower levels of heavy metals.

2. Rinse and Cook Properly: Rinse rice thoroughly and cook it using a 6-to-1 water-to-rice ratio, then drain the excess water. This method can reduce arsenic content by up to 57%.

3. Diversify Grains: Include other whole grains in your diet, such as quinoa, barley, bulgur, and couscous, which generally contain much lower levels of contaminants.

Nutritionist Monica Reyes points out, “Rice doesn’t have to be the villain in your pantry, but you do need to be smart about how you source and prepare it. There are plenty of ways to reduce your risk without giving up the grain entirely.”

Policy at a Crossroads

The report comes amid growing concern over environmental contaminants in the food supply and increasing public scrutiny of FDA safety standards. Critics argue that federal agencies have been slow to respond to mounting scientific evidence linking chronic exposure to low-level toxins with long-term health effects.

Advocacy groups like HBBF hope that this latest report will prompt both regulatory changes and increased consumer awareness.

“Parents deserve to know what they’re feeding their children,” Houlihan said. “And until all rice is safe, we need labeling, transparency, and action to reduce these preventable risks.”

Full Report Available

The complete findings and recommendations can be found on the HBBF website, along with a searchable list of the rice brands tested:
👉 https://hbbf.org/report/arsenic-in-rice

As Americans continue to navigate an increasingly complex food system, this report serves as a stark reminder that not all staples are created equal, and that sometimes, what seems healthy might come with hidden costs.