Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was studied?
This original research article investigated the arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) contents, including the chemical forms of arsenic, in Brazilian husked rice sourced from different regions, cultivars, and production systems. Using sensitive analytical techniques (ICP-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS), the researchers quantified total As and Cd, as well as speciated arsenic into its inorganic (iAs) and organic forms (DMA and MMA). The study was designed to assess the variability of heavy metal accumulation in rice according to its origin, with special attention to food safety, regulatory compliance, and the suitability of certain rice cultivars for infant food production. The focus keyphrase, “arsenic and cadmium in Brazilian rice,” is central to this study’s aim to inform heavy metal certification standards by evaluating the occurrence of these contaminants under both flooded and upland cultivation conditions.
Who was studied?
The study analyzed 48 samples of husked rice collected directly from certified producers across Brazil’s main rice-producing states: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Mato Grosso. These samples represented thirteen different rice cultivars and included both flooded and upland production systems. Cultivars such as Esmeralda, Sertaneja, AN Cambará, and ANA 6005 from Mato Grosso (upland), as well as Guri Inta, Puitá Inta, IRGA 424, IRGA 424 RI from Rio Grande do Sul (flooded), and Tio Taka, Andosan, Epagri 109, SCS 112, and 118 Marques from Santa Catarina (flooded) were included. The collection covered the diversity of Brazilian rice agriculture, ensuring that findings on arsenic and cadmium in Brazilian rice reflect real-world variability relevant to both domestic and export food safety standards.
Most important findings
| Critical Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Large Variation in Arsenic Content | Total arsenic in Brazilian rice varied by more than two orders of magnitude, from below 2.6 µg/kg to 628 µg/kg, with the highest averages in flooded systems of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, and the lowest in upland Mato Grosso. |
| Regulatory Compliance for Cd, Not Always for As | All rice samples were below the Brazilian maximum limit for Cd (400 µg/kg), but 19% exceeded the ANVISA limit for total As (300 µg/kg). Specifically, 9 samples (8 from Rio Grande do Sul, 1 from Santa Catarina) surpassed this threshold. |
| Inorganic Arsenic Levels and Infant Food Safety | Of 24 samples analyzed for As species, 42% had inorganic arsenic (iAs) above the European limit for infant foods (100 µg/kg), and 80% exceeded this limit when focusing only on iAs, making them unsuitable for infant consumption. However, all were below the EU limit for iAs in husked rice (250 µg/kg). |
| Production System Affects Metal Accumulation | Flooded systems were associated with higher As but not always higher Cd. Upland rice from Mato Grosso had both exceptionally low As and Cd, suggesting environmental and agronomic factors play a significant role. |
| Cultivar and Local Variability | Substantial differences were observed not only by region but also within cultivars and local field conditions, highlighting the influence of soil, water, and possibly farming practices on heavy metal uptake. |
| No Cd/As Correlation | There was no significant correlation between As and Cd concentrations in the same rice samples, contrary to some expectations from previous literature. |
| Implications for Export | Rice from Mato Grosso, with its extremely low As and Cd content, could be targeted for export to meet stringent European standards for infant foods. |
Key implications
The study reveals significant regional, cultivar, and environmental variability in arsenic and cadmium in Brazilian rice, with upland rice from Mato Grosso standing out for its low contaminant levels. These findings support targeted sourcing for heavy metal certification, suggest that production system and local conditions must be considered in regulation, and highlight the urgent need for Brazil to set maximum inorganic arsenic limits to protect vulnerable populations, especially infants.
Citation
Kato LS, De Nadai Fernandes EA, Raab A, Bacchi MA, Feldmann J. Arsenic and cadmium contents in Brazilian rice from different origins can vary more than two orders of magnitude. Food Chemistry. 2019;286:644-650. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.02.043
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
