Testing Plan
We have completed the analysis of our 2011 crop year, the first year in our 3 year study. Our supply chain averaged 95 ppb of inorganic arsenic. These results are from over 120 samples, 65% of which were brown rice and are consistent with the FDA’s first analytical results on arsenic levels in rice and rice products, posted on September 19, 2012 as well as levels reported by Consumers Report on September 19, 2012. The table below summarizes the reported micrograms/serving of inorganic arsenic across various types of rice.
| | | Average
(mcg/serving) | Range
(mcg/serving) | Number
of Samples |
Lundberg
Family
Farms | Aromatic Rice | 3.7 | 0.5-8.5 | 43 |
| Non-Aromatic Rice | 5.3 | 1.35-10.8 | 77 |
| Long Grain-Brown | 6.3 | 2.7-10.8 | 44 |
| Long Grain-White | 3.3 | 0.5-7.2 | 28 |
| Short Grain - Brown | 5.1 | 2.7-6.8 | 27 |
| FDA | Basmati Rice | 3.5 | 1.2-9.0 | 52 |
| Rice (non-Basmati) | 6.7 | 2.2-11.1 | 49 |
Consumer
Reports | White Basmati | N/A | 1.3-1.6 | 3 |
| Basmati Rice | N/A | 3.8-5.4 | 3 |
Based on the available data and scientific literature, FDA is not recommending changes by consumers regarding their consumption of rice and rice products. Eating a balanced and diversified diet that includes a variety of grains in order to ensure good nutrition is FDA’s current advice for consumers. Based on current research, FDA states there is an absence of adequate scientific data to demonstrate causal relationship between rice and rice product consumption and the types of illness typically associated with arsenic.
FDA is in the final stages of analyzing and presenting data from more than 1000 samples of rice and rice-based products, which were collected to gain a better understanding of the exposure to arsenic in rice and to enable a full health risk analysis.
We have continued the implementation of our Arsenic Testing Plan to better understand the issue of arsenic in rice. We say understand because we intend to not only determine the levels of arsenic in our rice, but also determine what they mean. Grain, straw, soil and water samples from the 2011 crop year are currently being prepared for analysis. We expect results to be available by Spring 2013.
Our comprehensive, 3-year plan has three primary objectives:
- 1. Determine the levels of arsenic in all of our varieties from three different crop years.
- 2. Determine the levels of arsenic in our soil, water and inputs over the course of three crop years.
- 3. Determine the effect of processing on arsenic levels in our finished product.
Will this plan really take three years? Yes. We are motivated to invest time in this project to provide you with meaningful data. In order to do so, we must collect and analyze a sizable number of samples across our product lines and from multiple crop years. Otherwise, there would be no way to ensure the reliability of our data. And when it comes to understanding our products, we want to be sure. At Lundberg Family Farms, your health and safety is our primary concern. We are committed to enabling you and your family to make healthy and informed decisions about your food; this commitment is the driving force behind our Arsenic Testing Plan.
Page last updated: 1/24/13