Additive guides · Product label guide
Arsenic in rice and other foods: what regulators say and what you can do.
Updated
Why rice contains arsenic, the difference between inorganic and organic arsenic, the FDA’s 100 ppb limit for infant rice cereal, EFSA’s 2024 risk assessment, practical steps from the FDA, and the rice products in our catalog. The catalog holds no arsenic test data.
Quick answer
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and water, and rice takes it up from irrigation water, so it is found in rice and rice products. The inorganic form is the harmful one; the FDA says it is more dangerous than the organic form found, for example, in seafood. The FDA has set one numeric limit for a food: 100 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal (August 2020). The FDA’s advice is to eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, which limits exposure to any one food. This site reads ingredient labels and has no arsenic measurements for any product.
- Harmful form
- Inorganic arsenic
- FDA infant rice cereal limit
- 100 ppb, Aug 2020
- EFSA update
- Jan 18, 2024
- Catalog arsenic data
- None
01 · A closer look
Why rice contains arsenic.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is also released by industry and mining. The WHO says crops such as rice take up arsenic from irrigation water, and that fish, shellfish, meat, poultry, dairy products and cereals can also be dietary sources. Arsenic exposure from drinking water and food over the long term can cause cancer and skin lesions, according to the WHO.
WHO: arsenic fact sheet (Dec 7, 2022)02 · A closer look
Inorganic versus organic arsenic.
The forms differ in toxicity. The WHO describes inorganic arsenic as highly toxic and organic compounds, such as those found in seafood, as less harmful. The FDA says current research indicates inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic, and that it is monitoring research on two organic forms, DMA and MMA, which may also be a health concern. A lab result for “total arsenic” therefore does not say how much of the harmful form is present.
FDA: arsenic in food (content current as of Mar 5, 2024)03 · A closer look
What the FDA has set for rice.
The FDA’s one numeric limit tied to rice is an action level of 100 micrograms per kilogram (100 parts per billion) of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, issued in final guidance in August 2020. The FDA’s own arsenic page also lists rice sampling results it posted in 2013, 2016 and 2020 and a risk assessment of arsenic in rice and rice products that includes a quantitative estimate of lung and bladder cancer risk from long-term exposure. There is no US federal limit for arsenic in other rice foods.
FDA: guidance for industry, action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals (constituent update, Aug 5, 2020)04 · A closer look
What EFSA concluded in 2024.
EFSA’s 2024 update of its inorganic arsenic assessment set a reference point of 0.06 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day, based on skin cancer data. It lists rice and rice-based products, grains and grain-based products, and drinking water among the main contributors to dietary exposure, and it notes that infant and young-child cereal foods contribute notably for young children. EFSA concluded that margins of exposure for adults are low and raise a health concern, while stating that children are covered by the same characterization. The assessment covers the whole diet and water, not rice alone, and it does not rank individual brands.
EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain: update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food, EFSA Journal 22(1):e8488 (Jan 18, 2024)05 · A closer look
What the FDA advises.
The FDA advises eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within the main food groups, which supports nutrition and limits exposure to a contaminant from any single food. For infants, its 2020 update says iron-fortified infant rice cereal is a good source of nutrients, that oat, barley and multigrain iron-fortified infant cereals can be a first or early cereal, and that pregnant women are advised to eat a variety of grains.
FDA: guidance for industry, action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals (constituent update, Aug 5, 2020)06 · A closer look
What this site can and cannot tell you.
CleanFoodScore records ingredient statements. It has no arsenic test results, so nothing here ranks rice products by arsenic. The products below list rice as an ingredient, one or two per shelf, so you can see where rice appears; open any product for its full label and verification date. Contaminant levels vary by crop, region and lot, and only lot-level laboratory data can show them.
The short answer
Our picks for arsenic in rice and food
Top of the shelfJovial Organic Gluten-Free Brown Rice Fusilli Single Serving, Mary’s Gone Crackers Original Crackers, and YumEarth Halloween Organic Lollipops each score 100/100. 6 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongBeanVIVO Organic Coconut Curry Chickpeas (100), Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds (100), and Nature's Path Organic Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla Gluten-Free Cereal (100).
Clear noPartake Foods Crunchy Ginger Snap (lists seed oils), Pipcorn Chili Cheese Corn Dippers (lists seed oils), and Catalina Crunch Parmesan Garlic Snack Mix (lists seed oils).
Ranked from 20 of 20 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, chickpeas*, onions*, coconut milk* (coconut*, water), spices*, sea salt, rice vinegar* (water, rice*) garlic maple syrup*, ginger*. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Coconut Curry Chickpeas (1-Pouch)”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic whole wheat (organic whole wheat flour, organic cracked whole wheat), water, organic cane sugar, organic 21 Whole Grains and Seeds mix (organic whole flax seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic tri-color quinoa [organic black quinoa, organic red quinoa, organic white quinoa], organic ground whole flax seeds, organic triticale, organic pumpkin seeds, organic rolled barley, organic rolled oats, organic rolled rye, organic blue cornmeal, organic millet, organic rolled spelt, organic brown rice flour, organic amaranth flour, organic yellow cornmeal, organic KAMUT khorasan wheat, organic sorghum flour, organic buckwheat flour, organic quinoa, organic poppy seeds), organic wheat gluten, organic oat fiber, contains 2% or less of each of the following: yeast, organic molasses, sea salt, organic cultured wheat flour, organic vinegar, organic acerola cherry powder, enzymes. Label checked 2026-10-04 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic brown rice flour, water Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Gluten Free Brown Rice Fusilli Single Serving”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Brown rice*, quinoa*, flax seeds*, sesame seeds*, tamari* (water, soybeans*, salt, vinegar*), sea salt. *Organic. Contains: Soy, Sesame. Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Whole grain corn meal*, brown rice flour*, cane sugar*, corn meal*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, quinoa*, vanilla flavor*, flax seeds*, sea salt, amaranth*, buckwheat flour*, molasses*, tocopherols (Vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy. Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Nature's Path Organic Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla Gluten Free Cereal”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC BROWN RICE SYRUP, CITRIC ACID, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS, ASCORBID ACID, COLORED WITH ORGANIC CONCENTRATE (CARROT, APPLE, BLACKCURRANT, RADISH), ORGANIC TURMERIC EXTRACT (COLOR). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “halloween organic lollipops 60ct”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Spices (Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Clove, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Red Pepper), Paprika (Color), and Rice Hulls. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Chocolate Chips (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Almond Flour, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Chocolate Drizzle (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Oat Flour, Organic Natural Vanilla Flavor, Organic Maple Sugar, Sea Salt Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients 100% Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Pea Protein Concentrate with Tapioca Starch, Milk Protein Concentrate, Brown Sugar, Dried Peaches, Natural Flavors, Quinoa, Peach Powder (Peaches, Rice Flour), Chia Seeds, Flaxseed, Milk Protein Isolate, Sea Salt, Cinnamon. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Flour Blend (Sorghum, Cassava, Rice, Pea, Buckwheat), Erythritol, Allulose, Vegetable Fibers (Potato, Rice, Plantago), Leavening (Baking Powder, Baking Soda), Cellulose, Psyllium Husk, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Enzymatic Preparations (Dough Conditioner), Xanthan Gum, Emulsifier (Hypromellose). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic brown rice flour, salt, lime powder, yeast extract, onion powder, mushroom powder, lemongrass powder, carrot pieces, ginger powder, chili powder, garlic powder, citric acid, scallion flakes, mushroom pieces, tomato pieces, sugar, cilantro flakes. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Cultured Cashew Milk (Organic Cashews, Filtered Water), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Dried Tomatoes, Sea Salt, Organic Rice Miso (Organic Rice, Water, Sea Salt, Alcohol, Koji Culture), Natural Flavors, Nutritional Yeast, Organic Garlic, Cultures. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Rice Vinegar, Cane Sugar, Ginger, Native Corn Starch, Contains 2% or less: Toasted Sesame Oil, Sea Salt, Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Gluten free oats, dates (dates, rice flour), sorghum flakes, dark chocolate (coconut sugar, coconut liquor, cocoa butter), almonds, coconut, cocoa powder, pumpkin seeds, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, Tomatoes (Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride), Carrot, Onion, Celery, Basmati Rice, Basil, Salt, Cane Sugar, Maple Syrup, Olive Oil, Black Pepper. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Pea Protein, Almonds, Cashews, Corn Flour, High Oleic Sunflower Oil and/or Canola Oil, Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Chickpeas, Chicory Root Fiber, Corn Fiber, Whey, Rice Flour, Pea Fiber, Salt, Oat Fiber, Potato Fiber, Food Starch - Modified, Guar Gum, Parmesan Cheese (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Garlic Powder, Monocalcium Phosphate, Baking Soda, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Caramel Color, Onion Powder, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Lactic Acid, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Buttermilk, Parsley, Mixed Tocopherols (to preserve freshness), Yeast, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Corn Starch. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Gluten Free Flour Blend (White Rice Flour, Oat Flour, Cassava Flour, Sorghum Flour), Organic Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Water, Tapioca Starch, Tapioca Fiber Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Ground Ginger, Oat Fiber, Cinnamon, Xanthan Gum, Konjac Gum, Rosemary Extract. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 3 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Corn, Sunflower Oil, Organic Cheddar Cheese (Organic Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Tomato Powder, Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Organic Cultured Buttermilk Powder (Organic Skim Milk, Lactic Acid, Culture), Spice, Organic Sour Cream Powder (Organic Cream, Cultures, Lactic Acid), Onion Powder, Organic Sweet Whey, Rice Flour, Organic Parmesan Cheese (Organic Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes), Paprika Extract, Organic Nonfat Milk Solids, Garlic Powder. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
Primary sources
Sources
- FDA: arsenic in food (content current as of Mar 5, 2024) fda.gov
- FDA: guidance for industry, action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals (constituent update, Aug 5, 2020) fda.gov
- FDA: arsenic in rice and rice products risk assessment (content current as of Aug 5, 2020) fda.gov
- WHO: arsenic fact sheet (Dec 7, 2022) who.int
- EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain: update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food, EFSA Journal 22(1):e8488 (Jan 18, 2024) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov