FOOD SAFETY

Federal Efforts to Manage the Risk of Arsenic in Rice

Arsenic, an element in the earth’s crust, can be harmful to human health and may be present in water and certain foods, such as rice. Rice may be more susceptible to arsenic contamination than other crops due to the flooded conditions in which it is typically grown. FDA and USDA work to address food safety risks. FDA’s responsibilities for rice include regulatory and research programs; USDA’s include research programs...