Missouri Rice Tests Arsenic-Free
BETTY VALLE GEGG-NAEGER
MidAmerica Farmer Grower
MALDEN, MO.
The uptake of arsenic in rice was addressed recently by, Dr. Michael Aide, chairperson of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University.
Dr. Michael Aide, chairperson of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University, recently addressed concerns of the uptake of arsenic in rice.
Photo by John LaRose, Jr.
“Some time ago consumer reports indicated that Missouri rice may have high levels of arsenic,” he said. “We began a study last year that we’re also doing again this year where we’re growing multiple varieties, Clearfield 1011 an experimental hybrid, and Wells; we analyzed the food product from those trials and found that arsenic was less than .1 part per million. That is a very low number and we’re very pleased that arsenic in rice is not a major issue in rice cultivated here in Missouri as well as perhaps in Arkansas.”
Other researchers in Arkansas are doing similar trials, however, the tests at Southeast Missouri State show that Missouri soils are low in arsenic. Tests on water runoff also show it is low in arsenic, so the risk of it getting into the rice plant is extremely limited.
“All of the arsenic that might be here, even if it’s in a very low amount, is naturally occurring,” Aide continued. “Therefore I’m going to have rice tonight. It’s going to be on my dinner table and I hope you join me with rice on your dinner table too.”∆
BETTY VALLE GEGG-NAEGER: Senior Staff Writer, MidAmerica Farmer Grower