Toxic arsenic in rice, organic rice drink almonds aha!

giftiges Arsen im Reis, Bio Reisdrink Mandeln aha!

Rice is one of the plant foods that contain the most arsenic. Unlike other cereals, rice can absorb the substance from the soil and accumulate it. For this reason, arsenic compounds are also found in rice grains.

In order to assess the risk for small children, the FSVO conducted a study in which arsenic in rice and rice products was examined.

The study concludes that rice drinks are unsuitable because of the risk posed by the arsenic content.

Source:
https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/de/home/lebensmittel-und-ernaehrung/lebensmittelsicherheit/stoffe-im-fokus/kontaminanten/arsen.html

How does Migros assess the risk of arsenic in adults?
I consume 1 liter of organic rice drink Almond aha! per week, that's a good 52 liters per year. What does Migros recommend regarding arsenic contamination?

Should I buy the unsweetened Alnatura Almond Drink in future? Can I assume that it does not contain rice?

What other substitute products does Migros suggest so that I can do without rice?

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All replies (8)

Traberli

The Aproz mineral also contained arsenic. Is there any more recent information on whether it still has arsenic? Do you think it still has it?

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Traberli

Forgotten:

https://www.saldo.ch/artikel/d/stille-mineralwasser-nur-6-von-25-sind-einwandfrei/

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M-Infoline

Hello @ Loxiran, thank you for your contribution. According to the BLV study, rice drink is unsuitable as a substitute for infants under one year of age. The risk is estimated to be lower for adults. One liter of rice drink corresponds to approx. 140 g of rice (approx. 2 portions) - we do not consider this to be excessive consumption. In addition, there are maximum levels for arsenic in non-alcoholic drinks, which are checked regularly. In principle, Migros recommends the same thing to adults as the FSVO: a varied and balanced selection of foods that promotes a sufficient intake of nutrients and reduces the risk of ingesting undesirable substances. Alnatura Almond Drink is therefore certainly a good option, as the product does not contain rice. As an alternative, we recommend the Alnatura Almond Drink, the Alnatura Cashew Drink or the organic aha! Coconut Drink. Best regards, Luisa

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M-Infoline

Hello @Traberli, thank you for your question. The various mineral salts and trace elements in natural mineral waters originate from the slow transition of the mineral water through the geological layers of rock, which also contain arsenic. Like the main minerals, the arsenic in mineral water is of natural origin. According to Swiss law, a content of 0.1 mg/l is permitted in foodstuffs. Aproz mineral water contains < 0.003 mg/l. Kind regards, Luisa

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Traberli

The laboratory even found 9 μg of uranium in Migros' Aproz Cristal (balance 11/11).

Source:
https://www.saldo.ch/artikel/d/uran-und-arsen-hahnenwasser-besser-als-mineral/

So does it now have different values?
Or are these values even wrong?

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M-Infoline

Hello @Traberli, thank you for your feedback. The uranium concentrations found by Saldo magazine are in line with our many years of stable experience. The uranium concentrations in Aproz, Aquella and M-Budget mineral waters comply with the law and do not pose a health risk. They are far below the limit value for drinking water and mineral water defined in the Ordinance on Contaminants and Ingredients in Foodstuffs (30 µg/kg). Uranium occurs in different concentrations and compounds in rocks and minerals, in water and in soil. Naturally occurring uranium minerals are contained in small quantities in numerous rocks that are widespread on earth (e.g. granite). The various mineral salts and trace elements in natural mineral waters originate from the slow transition of the mineral water through the geological layers of rock, which also contain uranium oxide. Like the main minerals, the uranium in mineral water is therefore of natural origin. The gradations in the report regarding uranium content (up to 2 micrograms "good", up to 5 micrograms "sufficient" and higher "insufficient") are arbitrarily chosen by Saldo and are not meaningful from our point of view. Kind regards, Luisa

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Traberli

Saldo probably got that from the WHO, which recommends only 2 micrograms for children up to 1 year old (infants), but more I think 5 micrograms for adults?

But why should adults be exposed to higher limits (not only for uranium)?

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M-Infoline

Hello @Traberli, thank you for your feedback. As we have already informed you, the gradations in the report regarding uranium content have been chosen arbitrarily by Saldo and we are unable to comment on this. The Ordinance on Foreign Substances and Ingredients in Foodstuffs defines a limit value of 30 µg/kg for drinking water and mineral water. Kind regards, Richi

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