Arkansas Rice Federation Speaks out after Article on "Worrisome Levels" of Arsenic in Rice
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: September 20, 2012
The Arkansas Rice Federation, which represents growers and all segments of the Arkansas rice industry, issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to a Consumer Reports article (click here) on arsenic in rice:
"Arkansas rice continues to be a nutritious food and an important part of a healthy diet," said Ben Noble, Executive Director of the Arkansas Rice Federation. "We understand that 'arsenic' is an alarming word but consumers should know that arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our air, water, rocks and soil. It's always been in our food supply and no pesticides containing arsenic are used when growing Arkansas or U.S. Rice."
"Arkansas produces nearly half of the nation's rice crop on an annual basis and we are committed to ensuring the quality and safety of rice and rice-based products," Noble continued. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it clear that no recommended changes regarding the consumption of rice and rice products are warranted. We will continue to work with the FDA, food scientists, nutritionists and manufacturers, as they look further into this issue.
For more information on this subject, please visit www.arsenicfacts.usarice.com
"Arkansas rice continues to be a nutritious food and an important part of a healthy diet," said Ben Noble, Executive Director of the Arkansas Rice Federation. "We understand that 'arsenic' is an alarming word but consumers should know that arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our air, water, rocks and soil. It's always been in our food supply and no pesticides containing arsenic are used when growing Arkansas or U.S. Rice."
"Arkansas produces nearly half of the nation's rice crop on an annual basis and we are committed to ensuring the quality and safety of rice and rice-based products," Noble continued. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it clear that no recommended changes regarding the consumption of rice and rice products are warranted. We will continue to work with the FDA, food scientists, nutritionists and manufacturers, as they look further into this issue.
For more information on this subject, please visit www.arsenicfacts.usarice.com
