America is feeding rice which increases dangerous diseases
America News: India has banned the export of non-Basmati rice. Due to this, the consumption of rice from America increased. However, a research has revealed that dangerous amounts of arsenic have been found in rice exported from America. Apart from this, cadmium and other heavy metals have also been detected in them. These poisonous chemicals can increase the risks of cancer and heart related diseases in the human body manifold. This has been revealed by a research team from the University of Michigan from a consignment of American rice sent to the poor Caribbean nation Haiti.
Haiti is importing rice from the US amid a severe shortage. India contributes the most to rice exports in the world. But, in view of domestic demand, India has banned the export of rice. India is the world’s largest rice exporter, but India banned non-Basmati and broken white rice in July 2023 and allowed shipments of only parboiled rice with a 20 percent duty. The minimum export price for Basmati rice is also $950 per tonne, below which no contract can be registered.
Arsenic and cadmium levels at dangerous levels
According to the study, the average arsenic and cadmium concentrations in imported rice were nearly double that of product grown in Haiti, with some imported samples exceeding international limits. Almost all imported rice samples exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation for children’s consumption. The study did not evaluate levels of toxins in other importing countries. The US FDA and State Department have not yet responded immediately to this revelation.
America sells the most rice to this country
The study reported that Haiti imports about 90% of its rice. America has the largest share in this import. The US had announced subsidies on rice in the late 1980s and 1990s in view of the political unrest and violence in Haiti. Former US President Bill Clinton helped increase US rice subsidies to Haiti during his tenure. But, later he called this step of his government a mistake.
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