Dishes with rice are particularly popular with adults and children. But be careful with the little ones, because small children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this is the inorganic arsenic content in rice.
Inorganic arsenic in rice
Young children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this: Rice-based products such as rice cakes, rice milk, rice flakes and the like can contain large amounts of inorganic arsenic. This is now reported by the Bavarian consumer center.
Babies and small children in particular should not consume this toxin too often, as it has a cancer-promoting effect and the amount is larger compared to a small child’s body. The consumer advocates advise bringing variety to the children’s plates by serving rice and other cereals alternately. This means that there is more variety on the table and the child gets new taste impressions.
Of course, adults and older children do not have to do without the pleasure of rice and can access it more often, as the Bavarian consumer advice center explains. Since January 1, 2016, new maximum values for the content of arsenic in food have been in force.
This is arsenic
Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in various compounds throughout the earth’s crust. The rice plant absorbs the substance through its roots in the soil and passes it on through its metabolism to the fruits, i.e. to the rice grains. Rice may contain more arsenic than other plant foods.
