UPDATE 1-US needs arsenic limits in rice-Consumer Reports
Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:46pm IST
* Group tests more than 60 popular rice products
* Finds nearly all contained some level of inorganic arsenic
* Recommends consumers limit weekly intake of such products
* Food industry groups argue against singling out one source of arsenic
By Lisa Baertlein
LOS ANGELES, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Consumer Reports is urging U.S. limits for arsenic in rice after tests of more than 60 popular products -- from Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal to Gerber infant cereal -- showed that most contained some level of inorganic arsenic, a known human carcinogen.
The watchdog group said that some varieties of brown rice -- including brands sold by Whole Foods Markets Inc and Wal-Mart Stores Inc -- contained particularly significant levels of inorganic arsenic.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday that it plans to collect data on 1,200 food samples by the end of the year and make its own recommendation on arsenic intake.
The agency said its own preliminary data on arsenic in rice products is consistent with the Consumer Reports investigation.
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"Our advice right now is that consumers should continue to eat a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of grains - not only for good nutrition but also to minimize any potential consequences from consuming any one particular food," FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement...
