Sponsored: Should I be worried about arsenic in my food?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Should I be worried about arsenic in my food?

QUESTION: Should I be worried about arsenic in my food?

ANSWER: There are two different types of arsenic, organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is found naturally in rocks, especially in areas where there is or has been volcanic activity.

Organic arsenic is a byproduct of mining and is found in products like fertilizers, pesticides, paints, and in those used in the preservation of wood. There is also the possibility of exposure to arsenic in various work environments and even in our air through industrial pollutants. Certain herbal and homeopathic supplements like kelp have been found to have high levels of arsenic contamination. (source: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1226-arsenic.aspx?activeingredientid=1226&activeingredientname=arsenic )

Buying USDA organic products will not eliminate arsenic from your food because arsenic can be found naturally in soil and water. Municipal water systems must comply with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and test to make sure that arsenic does not exceed established limits of 10 ppb (parts per billion).

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has regularly tested foods and beverages for the presence of arsenic since 1991. Over 1000 samples of rice have been tested for arsenic since 2011. “The levels FDA found in its testing are too low to cause immediate or short-term adverse health effects.” Testing of samples of apple juice also found the level of arsenic to be low but it was proposed that the safe level of arsenic in apple juice should be set to EPA’s limit for safety of drinking water. The FDA states that long-term effects of exposure to arsenic merit further study. (Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm280202.htm#FAQs )

Long term exposure to arsenic has been linked to liver and kidney damage as well as increased risk of infections.

How can you limit your exposure to arsenic in foods and beverages:

Related Items

Eat a varied diet – Since rice has been targeted for the amount of arsenic, vary your grains and incorporate others into your meals like oats, quinoa, barley and wheat (pastas).

Water – If you get municipal water, check the annual report on the water quality. If you are on well water make sure to have your water tested.

Juices – If you are concerned about arsenic in juices, limit the amount of juices you and your family consume.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

Tags:

Notes from a plant nerd: Orchidaceous!

Please don’t get me wrong, I love the orchids of...

Up Moses Creek: 2 a.m.

A sudden, loud crack came through the open bedroom...

Up Moses Creek: The Hatband

I was on the ridge this morning admiring the autum...

Up Moses Creek: I’ll Fly a Ways

It takes something special to draw me out of Moses...

SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM

Contribute >

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Dinner — Something for Everyone?

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Stories of dining during a disaster

Hurricane Helene was and continues to be a traumatic event for our region, but even within the worst of it, there are stories of resilience and ingenuity in ways that many had to deal with making or getting meals while having no power or water for days.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Ways to (Continue to) Help Western NC

There are many churches and community relief and service organizations that are and will continue to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Please make sure you check on what local area churches may be doing or need in terms of donations. Money is often the best thing to donate so they can buy what they need. Volunteer time is also often appreciated.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Post Hurricane

It is difficult to know what to write after a disaster of the magnitude caused by Hurricane Helene. It certainly teaches us the importance of coming together as a community to check on and help our friends and neighbors, and how vital our emergency response teams, first responders, National Guard, churches, shelters for both humans and animals, and relief organizations are in times like this.