Pesticides and toxins. the least contaminated rice according to 60 million consumers

Inexpensive and simply delicious, rice is often a classic in our kitchen cupboards. In France, we consume up to 6 kilograms per inhabitant per year, the magazine notes. 60 million consumers as part of a comparative study of several rice references in its February issue (1). In this new edition, the journal actually examined three components of 40 rice references: namely pesticides, aflatoxins, cancer-causing toxins produced by mold, and inorganic arsenic, a toxic compound that occurs naturally in the soil and is absorbed by the plant. The research showed 14 references to basmati rice, 10 to Thai rice, 10 to long grain rice and 6 to Camargue rice, all of which are available in supermarkets and specialty organic stores. Focus on the least contaminated variety in the market.

Best Basmati Rice Links

Originally from India or Pakistan, basmati rice is popular for its long, fine grain. Unfortunately, many pesticide residues were found in the 14 analyzed references. Thus, it is mainly organic farming references that manage to climb to the top steps of the podium. With one exception. at the top is Carrefour extra basmati rice, praised for its pesticide-free formulation and low levels of inorganic arsenic and aflatoxin. A product that sells for €2.79 per kilo and displays a score of 18/20.

Scoring 17.5/20 points and climbing to second place on the list is organic basmati rice from Alter Eco. Originating in India, it is much more expensive than the first link, showing a cost of €8.50 per kilogram. On the other hand, this product bears the Organic Fair Trade and Fair for Life labels, ensuring sustainable and fair trade.

Best Thai Rice Links

Thai rice, prized for its natural jasmine aroma, is “free or nearly free of chemical contamination.” 60 million consumers. On the other hand, traces of inorganic arsenic are almost systematically found there and up to twice as much as in basmati rice. In the Thai variety, it is rice from organic farming that occupies the top step of the podium. Scoring 16.5/20 and selling for €6.30 per kilo, this Autour du riz reference comes from Thailand and is labeled Fair Trade Organic.

Also, with a score of 16.5/20, La Vie Claire organic Thai rice took second place in the ranking. Sold for €7 per kilogram, it is free of all traces of pesticides such as tebuconazole, a plant growth regulator, or cypermethrin, a powerful insecticide.

Best rice links from the Camargue

Highly regarded for its neutral flavor and long grain, Camargue rice is free from all traces of pesticides. Indeed, its 12,000 hectares of cultivation allow for production with “less intensive methods,” emphasizes Bernard Mazel, president of the French Rice Growers’ Union, in a column. 60 million consumers. So, in first place with 17.5/20 points is the IGP Grain Long Camargue rice Our regions have talent from the E.Leclerc brand. In addition to being pesticide-free, it is also notable for its low levels of inorganic arsenic and aflatoxins. A product that is sold for 3.80 euros per kilogram.

In second place is Bongran brand semi-whole IGP Camargue rice. Scoring 16.5/20 points, this link from Organic Farming shows a price of €5.50 per kilo.

Best Long Grain Rice Links

As for long-grain rice, our colleagues report that this variety is “relatively loaded” with arsenic, but the amounts found in the 10 references analyzed remain within current standards. Therefore, it is the premium quality fragrant long rice Jasmine rice from the Riz du monde brand that appears on the first step of the podium. Selling at €3.37 per kilo, it scores 16.5/20.

In second place in the ranking is the slightly more expensive Lustucru long-stick rice, which sells for €3.15 per kilo and also scores 16.5/20. SO the team Kamargi, Thai, Basmati or long grain rice?

(1) The full survey can be found in the journal 60 million consumers currently on newsstands and website.