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Monitoring arsenic species concentration in rice-based processed products distributed in South Korean markets and related risk assessment

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Abstract

Rice is an important grain as a major source of carbohydrates in Asia but contains more arsenic (As) than other grains. A total of 239 rice-based processed foods (rice, n = 30; rice cake, n = 30; porridge, n = 39; noodles, n = 33; bread, n = 20; snack, n = 59; powder, n = 28) were purchased in 2019 from domestic markets to measure total As (tAs) and As species. The average tAs and inorganic As (iAs) in each sample group ranged from 20 to 180 μg/kg (porridge for baby to noodle) and 4.4–85 μg/kg (porridge for baby to powder), respectively. The correlation between the iAs and tAs was affected by the variety of ingredients, such as the presence of seaweed (tAs) and the milling type of rice (iAs). Although rice cakes and baby rice-based powders are a source of concern for both adults and children, respectively, risk assessments indicate that most rice-based foods are generally safe to consume in South Korea.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a Grant (Grant No. 15162MFDS077) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and a Korea University Grant (Grant No. K2207571). The authors thank the Institute of Biomedical Science & Food Safety, CJ-Korea University Food Safety Hall (Seoul, South Korea) for providing the equipment and facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Korea University, 145, Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Chang-Hyun Noh, Min-hyuk Kim, Seogyeong Choi & Kwang-Won Lee

  2. Institute of Biomedical Science and Food Safety, Korea University, 145, Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Su-Hyun Chun

  3. Pro_B Co., Ltd, 145, Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Su-Hyun Chun

  4. Department of Statistics, College of Natural Science, Dongguk University, 30, Pildong-Ro 1-Gil, Jung-Gu, Seoul, 04620, Republic of Korea

    JoonKi Lim & Yong-Sung Joo

  5. Department of Food Bioscience and Technology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145, Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Kwang-Won Lee

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  1. Chang-Hyun Noh
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Noh, CH., Chun, SH., Lim, J. et al. Monitoring arsenic species concentration in rice-based processed products distributed in South Korean markets and related risk assessment. Food Sci Biotechnol 32, 1361–1372 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01270-9

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