What do I need to know about rice?

[Anonymous]

My DC was allergic to rice and we strictly avoided. Therefore, I didn't pay particular attention to the rice/arsenic recent claims.

We are reintroducing rice and I am trying to sort fact from fiction. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Consumer Reports has been very involved in this issue. I would check there. consumer reports.org

In general, organic rice has more arsenic than regular, for some reason.

Soaking, and then rinsing the rice gets rid of some of the residue (not cooking it in the soaked water). But there is still arsenic in the rice grain itself.

I've been tending to choose other things to cook besides rice since reading their detailed article (and a follow-up article), and also, not ordering it when out at a restaurant because I have no way of knowing if they soaked and rinsed it.

[Anonymous]

How bad is this issue? Like, is there a LITTLE arsenic, or enough to kill you over time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How bad is this issue? Like, is there a LITTLE arsenic, or enough to kill you over time?

If it was the latter I would have been long gone!

[Anonymous]

Eat rice. It's good for you. I'm super lazy, so I use the microwave pouches of reckoned rice from Trader Joe's. Really, I think this arsenic thing is way overblown. Like, probably the same people who get worked up about it are the same people who won't drink out of plastic bottles, yet still keep a cell phone attached to their head all day.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all for the replies. Trying brown rice tonight for dinner.

[Anonymous]

never heard that organic rice has more arsenic than regular rice. BUT brown rice definitely does have more arsenic than white rice. You are better off with white rice. Maybe previous poster said organic has more because a lot of the organic products are brown rice based ( as brown rice is supposed to be healthier, except for that arsenic issue!)

Basmati white rice has the lowest levels. Lundberg brand had low levels. definitely check consumer reports because they do tell you which brands have more.

and soak and rinse your rice always! water should run clear over it when it's ready to cook.