Compare rice & grains

Research · Rice & grains

What our research found about rice & grains

Rice naturally absorbs more inorganic arsenic from soil and water than most other grains. Consumer Reports’ 2026 testing of 52 rice products found measurable inorganic arsenic in all of them, with basmati and sushi rice lowest on average and brown rice higher than white. The FDA notes that cooking rice in a large volume of water and draining it can remove roughly 40–60% of inorganic arsenic, depending on the rice, at some cost to nutrients.

That does not mean avoiding rice; it means varying your grains and choosing the type that suits you. Brown rice keeps the bran and fiber, white rice is lower in arsenic on average, and wild rice, quinoa, millet and other grains broaden your options. Brands that publish heavy-metal testing give you extra information, but check how recent it is and whether it covers the lot you are buying.

Products

365 brands

Full labels recorded

514% of the shelf

Maker says organic

26maker’s claim

List an added sweetener

0of 5 labels

List a seed oil

0of 5 labels

Typical label length

2ingredients (median)

Counts use complete, current ingredient labels only. Records without a published label stay unknown and are never counted as clean.

What to compare

• Rice type and origin. Basmati and sushi rice were lowest in Consumer Reports’ tests; brown rice was higher on average.
• Cooking method. Cooking in excess water and draining lowers arsenic more than rinsing alone.
• Variety of grains. Mix in quinoa, millet, oats or other grains.
• Heavy-metal testing. Some producers publish lot testing; look for recent, independent results.

References

1. Reducing the risk from arsenic in rice Consumer Reports
2. Arsenic in food and dietary supplements U.S. Food and Drug Administration
3. Whole grains Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
4. Organic labeling and what the USDA Organic seal means USDA Agricultural Marketing Service