The definition of Arsenic from Dictionary.com is “a grayish-white element having a metallic luster, vaporizing when heated, and forming poisonous compounds.” With this being said, why is this in our food supply?
Consumer
Reports did some research and has found Arsenic in Apple and Grape Juices. Now
they have tested over 200 samples of a variety of rice products and have found
an alarming amount of Arsenic in these as well. They found Arsenic in both
forms being Inorganic, which is carcinogenic, and organic which is less toxic
but still dangerous.
I understand
that Arsenic is found naturally in our soil, so therefore we are going to get
it in our food supply. But it needs to be strictly regulated!!! The
Environmental Protection Agency says that there is no “safe” level of inorganic
arsenic but there are no federal regulations or limits on most foods. So my
question is, since we know arsenic is a poison why are we not regulating the
amounts in food that we are selling to the public?
The Arsenic
was even found in Gerber’s Infant Rice Cereal. This is the first thing that
infants consume as “real food” and yet there is poison in it? Has anyone ever
realized why there is more cancer and other diseases now than there were back
in the old days?? Maybe our food supply has something to do with it huh? That
is just my opinion anyways. With Gerber’s Rice Cereal they have found inorganic
levels 5 times more than in Gerber’s Oatmeal Cereal.
The rice
growers in the United States say that this subject is blown out of proportion
and that there is no real danger with the levels of Arsenic. They say there is
no hard evidence that these products have caused cancer or other diseases. But
honestly, isn’t it just common sense? Why would we wait for a 10 year Epidemiologic
Study to prove this? Why not do something to prevent these adverse events from
happening?! Studies have begun and that is a good thing don’t get me wrong, but
something needs to be done before it becomes too late for people. One study was
done that said by eating just one half cup of rice the urinary arsenic level
was increased substantially. People who eat rice on a regular basis have a
higher arsenic level in there body than somebody that only eats it once in a
while.
My advice
would be to stay away from rice products as much as you can until it is
regulated. It is said to consume every once in a while and not to eat it every
day. For me, I think I will stay away from all rice products for a while. For
more information and to see the full article where I have taken this
information from please go to: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/11/arsenic-in-your-food/index.htm
