Eco-test study Often pollutants in the whole grain rice

Eco-test finds more pollutants in the whole grain rice
There have been several reports of rice eating risks in the past. For example, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) had explicitly warned against exposure to arsenic and possible damage to health. A recent study by the consumer magazine "Öko-Test" was also able to demonstrate increased contamination with mineral oil, cadmium and pesticides, especially in wholegrain rice.

Öko-Test has examined seven varieties of basmati rice, white long grain and whole grain rice. Although whole grain rice is considered a supposedly healthier alternative to other rice products, it was the worst in the Öko-Test study. Thus, the whole grain rice was loaded with arsenic or cadmium and even mineral oil residues could be detected in the rice. Basmati rice and white long grain rice showed a much better quality here.

Öko-Test has found especially in the whole grain rice increased pollutant load. (Image: M.studio/fotolia.com)

Surprising test result
According to Öko-Test, the result of the laboratory tests of seven brands of different rice varieties was quite surprising. Here, the Basmati rice "very good" to "sufficiently" cut off, the white long grain rice still "good" to "sufficient" and the whole grain rice landed with "satisfactory" to "insufficient" on the last places of the rating. Whole grain rice contains much more healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber than white rice, but also the pollutant content was significantly increased, reports Öko-Test.

Basmati rice with the least strain
The Basmati rice could convince, according to eco-test in the test the most. Only minor traces of inorganic arsenic were found in six products and Aldi Nord's "Bon-Ri Basmati Rice" was the only rice to achieve a "very good" rating in the test. Also, DNA samples taken revealed that Basmati was in the same place wherever Basmati appeared, according to Öko-Test. This is not self-evident, because often food tests have shown that counterfeiters were at work.

Parboiled rice particularly stressed
White long grain rice cuts consistently in midfield. However, here in five products "strongly increased" levels of inorganic arsenic were found, so eco-test. Apparently this happens during the pretreatment in the interior of the rice. All five products concerned were so-called "parboiled rice". Actually, this is considered to be supposedly healthier, because in this case the valuable ingredients are "pressed" into the interior of the rice grain. But apparently also pollutants reach this way in the interior of the grains.

Whole grain rice with the highest pollutant content
According to Öko-Test, the high levels of inorganic arsenic were a negative factor for whole grain rice. In addition, mineral oil contents could also be detected and residues of three pesticides were detectable in one of the packs. One even exceeded the permitted maximum residue limit. Only two of the seven whole grain rice products achieved a "satisfactory" rating in the test and the others scored "poor" or "unsatisfactory", reports Öko-Test. This is also due to the fact that not only the healthy ingredients, but also the toxins are mainly in the outer layers of the grains. (Fp)