Latest news with #heavyMetals
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Amazon.com is sued over alleged sale of contaminated rice
May 23 (Reuters) - (AMZN.O), opens new tab was sued on Friday by consumers over its alleged sale of a wide variety of rice contaminated by arsenic and other "heavy metals." The proposed class action in Seattle federal court covers 18 types of rice sold through Amazon, including from familiar brands such as Ben's Original and Amazon-owned Whole Foods' 365. "Amazon sold these rice products with alarmingly high levels of heavy metals to an intended consumer audience that includes children, with no warning whatsoever about the dangers of heavy metals," the complaint said. The lawsuit followed a study, opens new tab last week by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a nonprofit that focuses on babies' exposure to toxic chemicals. That study found arsenic in all 145 rice samples purchased nationwide, with 28% exceeding a U.S. Food and Drug Administration limit for infant rice cereal. It also found cadmium in all but one sample, and lead and mercury in more than one-third of tested samples. Amazon, based in Seattle, had no immediate comment. Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with negative health effects such as nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage, and autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young children. The 18 rice products include two from Ben's Original and three with the 365 label. Plaintiffs Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum said they would not have bought or would have paid less for Iberia Basmati 100% Aged Original rice, one of the products, if they knew the rice was contaminated or Amazon never tested it for heavy metals. Friday's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages of at least $5 million for Amazon's alleged violations of Washington state consumer protection laws. Makers of baby food and dark chocolate have also faced many consumer lawsuits over the alleged presence of heavy metals. The case is Wright et al v Inc, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 25-00977.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dangerous levels of arsenic found in US rice: What families need to know now
The Brief 100% of rice samples tested contained arsenic; over 25% exceeded infant safety limits Cadmium, another toxic metal, was found in all but one sample California-grown rice had the lowest levels of heavy metal contamination LOS ANGELES - A new nationwide investigation by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) has uncovered widespread contamination in store-bought rice sold in the United States, raising concerns about arsenic and cadmium exposure—especially among infants, toddlers, and pregnant people. The 2025 report, "What's in Your Family's Rice?," found arsenic in every single rice sample tested, with more than 1 in 4 samples exceeding the FDA's safety limit for infant rice cereal. Cadmium, another harmful heavy metal, was detected in all but one of the 145 rice samples tested. Both arsenic and cadmium are linked to serious long-term health risks, including neurodevelopmental harm, cancer, kidney damage, and reduced IQ in children. By the numbers HBBF's independent lab tests revealed that contamination levels varied based on the type of rice and where it was grown—not the brand. U.S.-grown brown rice had the highest contamination, with 151 parts per billion (ppb) of heavy metals, including 129 ppb of arsenic. White rice from the U.S. Southeast, often labeled simply as "USA," measured 118 ppb in total. Arborio rice from Italy, commonly used for risotto, measured 142 ppb total (101 ppb arsenic). California-grown sushi and Calrose rice had the lowest contamination, at 65 ppb total (55 ppb arsenic). Although the FDA set a 100 ppb arsenic limit for infant rice cereal, no such limit exists for regular rice products—despite their widespread use in family meals. Why you should care According to the report, rice is a significant dietary source of arsenic for children under 2—accounting for an average of 7.5% of total arsenic exposure. That number jumps to 14% for Hispanic and Latino children, and over 30% for Asian American infants, due to higher rice consumption in these communities. The report warns that early-life exposure to these contaminants is especially dangerous during pregnancy and infancy, when the brain is most vulnerable. Arsenic and cadmium can cross the placenta and have been linked to reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues later in life. What you can do The report highlights several safer options for families: California-grown sushi rice or Calrose rice Basmati rice from India Jasmine rice from Thailand Precooked products like instant rice, parboiled rice, and ready-to-heat rice may carry additional risks due to toxins created during processing or chemicals leached from plastic packaging. Instead of focusing on brands, families are advised to look at country of origin and rice variety. Not all packaging lists the origin, so consumers may need to do extra research. HBBF offers practical tips to significantly reduce arsenic exposure at home: Soak rice for 30 minutes or overnight, then drain Cook rice in extra water (6 to 10 cups of water per 1 cup of rice), then drain like pasta Avoid just rinsing—it does little to reduce arsenic Add iron-rich foods, since boiling and draining may reduce added iron in fortified rice Other protective nutrients—like vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, zinc, and protein—can help block or reduce the absorption of heavy metals. These are found in foods like leafy greens, beans, yogurt, strawberries, citrus fruits, and lean meats. The other side The lab also tested nine ancient grains—such as quinoa, barley, millet, buckwheat, and farro—and found they contained 28 times less arsenic than rice, on average. While some had slightly more cadmium, the overall heavy metal load was three times lower than rice. Families looking to rotate grains or reduce rice intake may find these alternatives helpful for reducing long-term exposure. What's next HBBF calls on the FDA and industry to take urgent action, including: Setting enforceable limits for arsenic and cadmium in all rice—not just baby food Encouraging clear labeling for products that meet infant safety standards Requiring regular testing and public posting of heavy metal levels in rice products The report emphasizes that these are achievable goals with powerful health benefits, especially for communities most affected by high rice consumption. "Parents shouldn't have to worry that a common first food like rice could carry hidden risks," said Jane Houlihan, HBBF's National Director of Science and Health. "This study is a wake-up call—but it's also full of hope. With just a few changes in the kitchen and stronger rules from the FDA, we can dramatically lower children's exposure to harmful metals." The Source This article is based entirely on the 2025 report "What's in Your Family's Rice?" by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF). All data, quotes, and recommendations are sourced directly from the report and its publicly available consumer guides, which include laboratory results, exposure analysis, and cooking safety tips. The full report is available on the HBBF website.
CNN
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
First on CNN: Dangerously high levels of arsenic and cadmium found in store-bought rice, report finds
Samples of store-bought rice from more than 100 different brands purchased in the United States contained dangerously high levels of arsenic and cadmium, according to a new report shared first with CNN. 'Even at low levels, both arsenic and cadmium have been linked to serious health harms, including diabetes, developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and heart disease,' said coauthor Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures. The organization, which is dedicated to reducing children's exposure to toxic chemicals, produced the report. 'Heavy metal contamination in young children is especially concerning, as early-life exposures are associated with reduced IQ and a range of cognitive and behavioral problems,' Houlihan said. One in four samples of rice purchased from grocery and retail stores across the United States exceeded levels of inorganic arsenic set in 2021 by the US Food and Drug Administration for infant rice cereal, according to the report published Thursday. 'The FDA set a limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal of 100 parts per billion, and since then we've seen levels in those cereals drop by 45%,' Houlihan said. 'But the FDA did not address inorganic arsenic levels in the rice families purchased to cook and serve. 'Yet it turns out that for very young children, ages 0 to 2 years, rice is a more important source of inorganic arsenic than infant rice cereal,' she added. 'It's really the rice itself that's driving higher exposures.' Arsenic is a natural element found in soil, water and air, with the inorganic form being the most toxic. 'Inorganic' is a chemical term and has nothing to do with the method of farming. Arsenic is also a carcinogen, and early-life exposures — including during pregnancy — are especially dangerous, possibly leading to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and preterm birth as well as later neurodevelopmental disorders, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The USA Rice Federation, which represents American growers, told CNN via email that rice grown in the United States contains the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic in the world. 'While we do not agree that there is a public health safety issue as a result of trace amounts of arsenic in rice, we will continue to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the U.S. rice supply meets any threshold established,' said Michael Klein, vice president of communications and strategic development at USA Rice. 'It is worth noting (that) the top source (42%) of arsenic in the diet of Americans is fruits, vegetables, and fruit juice. Rice is 17 percent,' Klein said. That's an unfair comparison, Houlihan said, because dozens of different fruits and vegetables contribute to that figure of 42%. 'In contrast, rice alone — one specific food — contributes 17%, likely making it the single largest individual food source of arsenic in the American diet,' she said. A global concern Rice is the 'most widely consumed solid food in the world,' according to the report, and a regular part of the diets of more than 1 billion children globally. In some cultures, rice is served at every meal. 'On average, for all children ages 0 to 2 years, rice accounts for 7.5% of their arsenic exposure, more than any other solid food,' Houlihan said. 'For Hispanic and Latino children of the same age, that level rises to 14%.' However, many Latino families are not aware of the dangers of arsenic in rice, said Juan Roberto Madrid, an advocate for the environmental advocacy association GreenLatinos, which partnered on the new report. 'In fact many of our full time staff were not even aware of the dangers of arsenic in rice,' Madrid said in an email. 'Our communities must understand what arsenic does to babies and that there are alternatives available. This is not a cause for alarm, but rather a cause for concern.' For Asian children, the levels are even higher, Houlihan said. 'For babies 0 to 2 (years), rice accounts for 30.5% of the arsenic in their diet. It's even higher for Asian children between 18 (months) and 24 months. Rice accounts for nearly 55% of their arsenic exposure.' Some Asian families are aware of the presence of heavy metals in rice, but not the dangers posed by arsenic, said Gloria Tan, executive director of Gum Moon's women's residence at the Asian Women's Resource Center in San Francisco. Gum Moon, which stands for 'golden door,' has been providing services to Asian women since 1868 and was a partner in the new report. 'Knowing that there are dangers of arsenic might make families reconsider their rice choice,' Tan said in an email. 'I think some families may be receptive to the idea of switching to a less contaminated grain.' Comparing rice with ancient grains The new report analyzed the total heavy metal content in 145 samples of rice varieties grown in India, Italy, Thailand and the United States that were purchased by shoppers in the US. 'The researchers used a certified, accredited lab to measure arsenic and other heavy metals in rice samples, confirming that this is an issue with real-world implications,' said Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, via email. EWG is a consumer organization that monitors exposure to heavy metals, plastics and other dangerous chemicals. Stoiber was not involved in the new research. The independent lab also tested another 66 samples of nine ancient grains: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, couscous, farro, millet, quinoa and spelt. Results showed rice purchased by shoppers contained 28 times more arsenic than the alternative grains. The group of alternative grains, however, contained 1.5 times more cadmium than rice. Still, overall levels of heavy metals were three times lower in the nine grains compared with the levels found in the purchased rice. Like arsenic, cadmium easily crosses the placental barrier to the fetus, potentially causing neurodevelopmental harm. Cadmium is also a known carcinogen and has been connected to harm to the kidneys, bone, stomach, lungs and more. 'Most research has focused solely on arsenic, but that leaves out an important part of the rice safety story,' Houlihan said. 'By including cadmium in our analysis, we're able to give a more complete picture of how different rice types compare in terms of overall toxic metal exposure.' Rice type and growing region matter The type of rice and how it's grown and processed can impact levels of arsenic and other heavy metals, experts say. Brown and wild rice often contain the highest levels because the milling process used to create white rice removes the outer layers of the hull, where heavy metals are concentrated. Lab testing found purchased samples of US-grown brown rice contained 151 parts per billion of heavy metals — 129 of that due to arsenic. Arborio rice grown in Italy, which is typically used to make risotto, and white rice grown in the Southeast US (often labeled as simply 'USA') were almost as high in total heavy metals as brown rice, the report said. Arborio rice from Italy contained 101 parts per billion of arsenic — total heavy metal load in the purchased samples was 142 parts per billion. White rice grown in the US contained 95 parts per billion of arsenic, with a total heavy metal count of 118 parts per billion. Basmati rice from India, jasmine rice from Thailand and California-grown sushi and Calrose rice (a form of sushi rice) were at or below the 100 parts per billion levels set by the FDA for arsenic in infant rice cereals. However, the Indian basmati and Italian Arborio varieties contained the highest average levels of cadmium. The California-grown rice had the lowest overall heavy metal content — 65 parts per billion, with 55 parts per billion from arsenic — making it an excellent choice to reduce overall exposure, Houlihan said. Consumers should be wary, however, of precooked rice, including instant (one-minute and five-minute rice), parboiled (10-minute rice), and ready-to-heat-and-eat packaged rice, she said. 'Studies have shown the processing used to create instant rice can create additional toxins, and the ready-to-heat products are cooked inside the plastic containers, potentially releasing toxic chemicals,' Houlihan said. While the report does list the names of the 105 brands tested, that's not what's important when choosing rice with the lowest levels of heavy metals, she added. 'Results between brands didn't tend to vary,' Houlihan said. 'The controlling factors for avoiding heavy metal levels seems to be the rice variety and the country of origin, not the brand of rice. So make sure you know where your rice comes from. 'Unfortunately, not all brands label the source of their product, so you'll have to do some shopping to find those that do,' she added. This lack of clear package labeling is a gap that should be addressed by industry and the federal government, EWG's Stoiber said. 'Stronger federal oversight and clearer labeling would go a long way to keep children safe from exposure to arsenic in food.' The FDA takes the presence of heavy metals in food extremely seriously, said Andrew Nixon, director of communications for the US Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA. 'Under Secretary (Robert F.) Kennedy (Jr.)'s leadership, HHS is conducting a comprehensive review of chemicals in the food supply — both those added intentionally and those like heavy metals that are environmental contaminants,' Nixon said in an email. Additional ways to lower exposure There is an easy way to eliminate nearly two-thirds of the arsenic in rice — cook it like pasta. Using 6 to 10 cups of water for every cup of rice and draining the excess before eating can remove up to 60% of arsenic. However, only rinsing rice before cooking doesn't work, according to the report. To further the amount of arsenic removed, soak rice for a half hour or overnight and drain before cooking as suggested. Keep in mind that boiling and draining will also remove some of the fortified iron added to rice. Iron is important for proper development and many babies are often deficient, the report said, so consult a pediatrician about adding iron-rich foods. Beans, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean red meat, and poultry are good sources. In addition, there are nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, zinc and vitamin C that can help 'reduce the body's absorption of contaminants or speed up their excretion,' the report said. 'Find them in foods like lean meat, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens, broccoli, beans and lentils, citrus fruits, strawberries, and peppers.'
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Popular health food eaten by millions found to be riddled with toxic metals linked to autism, cancer
Gluten-free may not be risk-free. An investigation has found that dozens of gluten-free products are riddled with toxic heavy metals linked to cancer and autism. The gluten-free market has boomed in the past decade, amid a wider shift toward 'clean eating', endorsements from celebrities like Victoria Beckham, and the perception that the foods under this label are 'healthier'. Cassava is a large root vegetable, popular among people on the diet because it doesn't contain gluten and is versatile; it can be ground into a flour to create gluten-free versions of snacks like cookies. The watchdog Consumer Reports tested 27 Cassava-based chips, cookies and crackers, among other products — and found some of them contained more lead than they had ever seen in more than a decade of product tests. Overall, two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than the organization's maximum level recommended — up to 2,000 percent above safe levels. Experts suggest Cassava may absorb lead from the ground, with the toxic metal either naturally occurring or left there by contaminated sewage sludge or fertilizers. Lead is dangerous because it can damage brain cells, with studies suggesting the toxic metal can leave people with learning difficulties and possibly even autism. James Rogers, the director of food and safety research at the organization, said: 'Some of these cassava products had the highest level of lead that we've ever tested, and I've been with Consumer Reports for eight and a half years. 'We never want consumers to panic, but we do want them to be aware so they can take proper measures to reduce their lead intake, since long-term lead exposure can lead to adverse health outcomes.' Eight products — mostly Cassava flour — contained such high levels of the toxic metal that the organization said people should avoid them entirely. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is absorbed into the blood from contaminated foods and then travels to the brain, damaging cells. Studies have already linked lead exposure to a higher risk of learning difficulties and communication problems, with some even suggesting exposure in early life or in the womb may raise the risk of developing autism. The FDA says there is no safe level of lead exposure, while California says people should not be exposed to more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day. Cassava is particularly popular among the more than 3 million gluten-free people in the US because it can be used to replicate much-loved snacks without exposing them to gluten. Among paleo-diet followers, it is a popular source of carbohydrates when many others — like bread and pasta — are off the menu. Between one and three million people in the US follow this diet, estimates claim. For the report, Consumer Reports tested one serving of Cassava-based products including chips, flour, crackers, bread, cookies, cereal, pasta, puff snacks, bars, and soda. Of the eight flours tested, four had lead levels that were so high consumers were told not to eat them. Three others had lead levels per serving between 200 and 600 percent the recommended level. Of the eight Cassava chips tested, two had levels that were so high that Consumer Reports said they should be avoided. In total, lead levels in the chips ranged from 600 to 1,700 percent. Overall, Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour — sold in Walmart, health foods grocer Sprouts and others — was found to have the highest lead levels, at 2,343 percent higher than the recommended level. Also in the top ten were Whole Foods-own brand Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Cassava Chips, with lead levels 1,723 percent above the recommended level. Processing the vegetable into flour concentrates it, which experts say makes lead levels higher. The report tested the Cassava products for four heavy metals, with the other three being mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Mercury was found in none of the products, while there was a measurable amount of arsenic — commonly linked to pesticides, and can cause brain damage and cancer — in half. Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that damages organs, was also detected in almost all of the products. Consumer Reports uses a much lower recommended lead level exposure of 0.5 micrograms per day, which it bases on California's safe limit. For comparison, the FDA says that exposure for adults should not exceed 8.8 micrograms per day. For children, it said this shouldn't exceed 2.2 micrograms. The difference is because California's limit is based on health concerns, while the FDA's indicates where damage has previously been observed. Rogers added: 'The negative effects of lead happen over time when there's chronic exposure, so you won't get lead poisoning if you eat one serving of these products. 'However, I would strongly urge consumers to reconsider using the seven products we listed to avoid.' Consumer Reports contacted 18 of the companies mentioned before publishing its findings, and also sent them their test results. Nine of them responded, with many saying that lead was a naturally occuring element that could not be completely avoided. Some also said that they test their ingredients or finished products for heavy metals. Several companies said that the products tested for the report have since been discontinued, with some acknowledging that concerns about lead in cassava played a role in the decision. Eight of the companies products carry warning labels on the back over higher lead levels. This is in line with California's Proposition 65, which requires any products with lead levels above 0.5 micrograms per serving to carry the warning.
