Arsenic in Argentinean polished rice: Situation overview and regulatory framework. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oteiza, Juan M.; Barril, Patricia A.; Quintero, César E.; Savio, Marianela; Befani, Romina; Cirelli, Alicia Fernandez; Echegaray, Natalia S.; Murad, Carolina; Buedo, Ariel
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 109(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Oryza sativa -- Total arsenic -- Arsenic species -- Inorganic arsenic (iAs) -- HPLC/ICP-MS; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106909
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: The Codex Alimentarius has established a 200 μg kg −1 limit of iAs in polished rice grain, while the Argentine Food Code, in accordance with the Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur), has set an advisory level of 300 μg kg −1 of total As. This study aimed to map the content of arsenic species in polished rice grains of different varieties and cultivation areas from Argentina. Mean concentrations of total, organic and inorganic As concentrations were 303 μg kg −1, 222 μg kg −1 and 81 μg kg −1, respectively. Almost 32% of the Argentinean polished rice samples had total As ≥ 300 μg kg −1 . However, 4.7% of the samples had iAs ≥200 μg kg −1 ; all of them with total As closed to 1000 μg kg −1 . Samples with iAs ≥200 μg kg −1 were obtained from the South of the province of Corrientes. Competent regulatory bodies should consider a reform of the maximum limits of As in polished rice. Highlights: Almost 32% of the Argentinean polished rice samples had total As ≥ 300 μg kg −1 . 4.7% of the samples had iAs ≥200 μg kg −1 (all with total As closed to 1000 μg kg −1 ). Rice with iAs ≥200 μg kg −1 was obtained from the South of Corrientes province.