Too much arsenic in Camargue rice: a batch sold in Biocoop stores is the subject of a consumer recall

Rice was the subject of a consumer recall on October 31 due to traces of arsenic found inside. This is a whole batch of round, semi-complete organic Camargue IGP rice, from the Biosud brand. Sold in bulk in Biocoop stores, the interministerial government site RappelConso revealed that it contained too high a content of “non-compliant inorganic arsenic“.

Following the analyzes carried out, it was immediately withdrawn from sale until December given the presence of heavy metals (“lead, mercury, cadmium…“) in the rice.

A component present in the Rhône

Near France 3the president of the Biosud company, Marc Thomas, made a connection between the presence of arsenic in rice and the quality of the water used to irrigate the crops. “Arsenic is a heavy metal, which has been present for a very long time in the Rhône”, he told the media, explaining that the river was the only water supply for rice fields in the Camargue.

According to him, “we must not panic, the rate found in this batch is extremely low, certainly, above the authorized limit, but extremely low”. In March 2023, the level of arsenic authorized at the European Union level per kilo of rice increased from 0.25 mg to 0.15 mg. Standards which have “no sense” according to the president.

“Natural component of the earth's crust, widely present in the environment”arsenic is however “very toxic in inorganic form” recalls the WHO. “Prolonged exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly in drinking water and food, can lead to chronic poisoning. Skin lesions and cancers are the most characteristic effects”completes the site.