Category: FAQs

Arsenic is naturally occurring in the soil, air & water in the United States. It can be higher in some areas due to previous chemical use, such as former cotton production acreage. Land farmed by CRM has not been previously used for cotton production. Arsenic is absorbed by a number of crops, including fruits, vegetables & grains. But it is not applied as a pesticide in the U.S. We continue to assess the relationship between the rice plant & naturally occurring arsenic, & we continue to work with the FDA, the rice industry, scientists & nutritionists as they assess arsenic levels in rice.

U.S.-grown rice by American farmers is a nutritious food & an important part of a healthy diet for our families. At CRM & throughout the rice industry, we depend on the rice farmer to keep rice in production in the United States to the benefit of families here & around the world.

The FDA has not recommended that consumers change their diets based on information about arsenic in rice as reported by Consumer Reports. Rice is the most-consumed calorie around the world. It is a nutritious food & an important part of a healthy diet for our families because it contains more than 15 vitamins & minerals that help protect against disease. In fact, populations with high rice consumption are associated with less overall disease rates & with better health, & scientific studies show that people who eat rice have healthier diets.

Let’s look at the facts. Rice is the most-consumed calorie around the world. U.S.-grown rice is a nutritious food & an important part of a healthy diet for our families. The FDA has not recommended that consumers change their diets based on information reported by Consumer Reports. Additionally, arsenic is unavoidable in any number of foods because it occurs naturally in the air, water & soil. And we know that arsenic in the U.S. rice supply is not typically present at levels that cause negative health impacts. For all of these reasons, we encourage consumers to continue to eat U.S.-grown rice to keep their families healthy & the American farmer & one of our country’s leading agricultural industries viable.

It is important to know, as reported by Consumer Reports, that fruits, fruit juices & vegetables contribute higher levels of inorganic arsenic to your diet than rice does. These crops absorb arsenic, which is naturally occurring in air, water & soil, during the growing process.

We have never received any reports that our products have made someone sick. CRM’s products are a wholesome, nutritious and affordable rice choice to feed your family.

CRM stands by the quality & safety of our products. We are dedicated to providing a wholesome, nutritious & affordable rice to feed our families – and yours. And, we will continue to work with the FDA, the rice industry, scientists & nutritionists as they continue to assess arsenic levels in rice.