Ranking Members Waxman and DeGette Request Information on Arsenic Levels in Rice

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette sent letters to eight companies that sell rice and rice products to request information and documents regarding the levels of arsenic in rice and the companies’ practices for monitoring their products for arsenic. 

Two recent studies have indicated that “worrisome” levels of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, have been found in rice and a variety of rice products.  Inorganic arsenic has been associated with long-term health risks for both adults and children.  The FDA is currently analyzing rice samples to better understand the levels of arsenic exposure and associated health risks.

The members sent letters to Martin Farms, Della Rice, Carolina Rice, Jazzmen Rice, Whole Foods Market, Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation, Earth’s Best, and Gerber Rice, produced by Nestle Nutrition. 

The letters are available online here.