Health Canada says it is re-evaluating the safety of rice products following recent studies sounding the alarm about arsenic levels. 

The concern was prompted by a recent Consumer Reports’ investigation and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) probe that found troubling levels of arsenic in rice and many products made from rice, including crackers and cereals. 

The consumer watchdog found that all 32 rice products tested contained arsenic, prompting it to warn consumers to “take steps to moderate their rice consumption.”

Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and Is easily absorbed because rice is grown in standing water. But lab tests showed many of the rice samples also had troubling levels of toxic inorganic arsenic, the type found in pesticides.

"Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen that has been linked to skin, lung, and bladder cancer,” said Andrea Rock of Consumer Reports.

Rice cereal is often a baby's first food and children are more vulnerable to the long term toxic effects of arsenic.

"We are saying for infant rice cereal that you really shouldn't eat more than one serving a day,” Rock said.

Brown rice, which is often thought to be healthier, has more arsenic than white, because the arsenic is contained in the outer layers of the grain, which are removed with white rice.

While Canadians are wondering if the news should make them reconsider what they’re eating, public health educator Warren Kindzireski says no.

"They should not be concerned and if they are eating a typical well-balanced diet, they should not be concerned,” the University of Alberta professor told CTV News in an Edmonton interview. 

The U.S. Rice Federation says there is no documented evidence of actual adverse health effects from exposure to arsenic in U.S.-grown rice.

"Rice is a safe and nutritious food,” said Dr. James Coughlin, a consultant with the U.S. Rice Federation. “These are very, very low levels."

In an email to Steele on Your Side, Health Canada officials said the agency “is not recommending any change by consumers with regards to the consumption of rice and rice products."
It does admit: "These (arsenic) limits or tolerances are currently under re-evaluation."

The U.S. FDA is also investigating arsenic levels in rice, and Consumer Reports is calling for new government standards to be developed.

"We don't want to alarm people but we do recommend that you limit the amount of rice that you eat,” Rock said. 

Results of the FDA investigation in the States will not be available until the end of the year. 

Health Canada told CTV News that its arsenic levels need to be updated based on the latest science and surveillance data.

If you want to reduce the amount of arsenic in the rice you eat wash the rice until the water runs clear, and then cook it in a lot of water.