Description of impact
Research by Professor Andrew Meharg at the University of Aberdeen was the first to show that rice constituted the major source of dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, a class 1, non-threshold carcinogen, meaning that there is no dose that is risk-free. This research directly led to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) undertaking a major review of arsenic in foods. The EU, USA and WHO lack standards for arsenic in food, but all three are now actively seeking to set standards. Subsequent to the Aberdeen studies, the WHO withdrew its standard for arsenic Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake, considering it too high. Also, as a direct result of this work, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued warnings that children under 4 should avoid rice milks because of their inorganic arsenic content.Impact status | Open |
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Category of impact | Public policy Impacts |
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research output
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Arsenic accummulation and metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Variation in Arsenic Speciation and Concentration in Paddy Rice Related to Dietary Exposure
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Inorganic arsenic in rice bran and its products are an order of magnitude higher than in bulk grain
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Geographical Variation in Total and Inorganic Arsenic Content of Polished (White) Rice
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Inorganic arsenic levels in baby rice are of concern
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Arsenic contamination of Bangladesh paddy field soils: implications for rice contribution to arsenic consumption.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Inorganic arsenic levels in rice milk exceed EU and US drinking water standards
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review