Roxarsone is a controversial arsenic compound used as a nutritional supplement for chickens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Organic brown rice syrup (OBRS) is widely used as a substitute sweetener for high-fructose corn syrup. Authors propose that this introduces arsenic into the diet, and arsenic has been shown to be a carcinogen. They tested a number of brown rice syrup products for arsenic content and reported the results.
Rice can contain arsenic up to 100-400ng/g. Infants consuming rice cereal once daily can exceed the daily arsenic exposure limit of 0.17 microgm/kg body weight every day. Dietary sources of rice arsenic are rice cereals, rice crackers and rice drinks. White rice contains less arsenic because arsenic concentrates in the aleurone layer that is removed with the ‘polishing’ of white rice. DMA (di-methyl arsenate) is a less toxic metabolite of arsenic which passes into the grain of the rice. DMA was used as a pesticide until it was banned in 2009, and DMA should not be in organic foods.
Test results on a number of commercial products showed that OBRS had high concentrations of arsenic and dimethyl-arsenate (DMA). One product tested was an “organic” toddler milk formula with 0BRS. It had six times the EPA limit of arsenic for safe drinking water.
Cereal bars and other high energy foods with OBRS tested high for arsenic levels compared to similar foods not containing OBRS. Endurance athletes taking 4 servings of OBRS energy shots can receive as much as 20 microg. of arsenic in one day.
CONCLUSION: Currently, there are no regulations that apply to arsenic in food, and such regulations are urgently needed. Used regularly, consumer items made of organic brown rice syrup (ORBS) contain significant amounts of arsenic.
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NOTE: Arsenic homeopathic remedy is useful in cases of arsenic toxicity. Read about the use of a homeopathic remedy to treat arsenic toxicity.
KEY WORDS: Arsenic, Cereal and energy bars, Diet, Dimethylarsenate (DMA), Food, Hanover, New Hampshire, High fructose corn syrup, Infant formula, Organic brown rice syrup (OBRS), Rice.
PMID: 22336149.
Summary #700.
