🔥 Trending Consumer Reports: Rice Products with the Lowest Arsenic Levels

Consumer Reports' latest investigation, published in July 2026, analyzed 52 rice products and found inorganic arsenic in every single one ¹⁵. Inorganic arsenic is a dangerous form of heavy metal and a known carcinogen ³⁵. While all rice contains some level of arsenic, certain types and brands tend to have lower concentrations.

Rice Types with Lower Arsenic Levels

According to the Consumer Reports analysis, some general trends emerged regarding arsenic levels in different rice types:

• Basmati Rice: Basmati rice, particularly from California, India, and Pakistan, generally had lower average inorganic arsenic levels compared to other rice types ¹².
• Sushi Rice: Sushi rice also tended to have lower average inorganic arsenic levels ¹.
• White Rice vs. Brown Rice: Brown rice generally averages higher levels of inorganic arsenic than white rice ¹⁸. This is because arsenic accumulates in the outer layers of the grain, which are removed during the milling process to produce white rice ².

Specific Product Findings

While Consumer Reports did not provide a comprehensive list of every single product tested with its exact arsenic level in the publicly available summaries, their analysis highlighted that some products contained levels high enough that one serving per day could increase the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes over time ⁸.

For individuals looking to minimize arsenic exposure from rice, Consumer Reports recommends opting for basmati and sushi rice varieties. They also suggest checking for specific brands that have been identified as having lower levels in their detailed reports, which are often available to subscribers ²⁶.

Tips for Reducing Arsenic Exposure from Rice

Beyond choosing specific rice types, Consumer Reports offers several preparation methods to further reduce arsenic levels:

• Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Before cooking, rinse rice thoroughly under running water ².
• Cook with More Water: Cook rice in a higher water-to-rice ratio, similar to how pasta is cooked, and then drain the excess water. For example, use 6 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice ². This method can reduce inorganic arsenic by 40% to 60% ².
• Vary Your Grains: Incorporate other grains into your diet, such as quinoa, barley, bulgur, and farro, to reduce overall reliance on rice ².
• Be Mindful of Rice-Based Products: Remember that arsenic can also be found in other rice-based products like rice pasta, rice cakes, and rice milk ².

By being aware of these findings and implementing recommended cooking practices, consumers can make informed choices to reduce their exposure to arsenic from rice.