Inexpensive and simply delicious, rice is often a classic in our kitchen cupboards.
In France, we consume up to 6 kilos per year per inhabitant, indicates the magazine
60 million consumers
as part of its comparative study of several rice references in its February issue (1).
In this new edition, the magazine has in fact researched three components in 40 rice references;
specifically pesticides, aflatoxins – carcinogenic toxins produced by mold – and inorganic arsenic, a toxic component naturally present in soils and absorbed by the plant.
The study screened 14 references of basmati rice, 10 of Thai rice, 10 of long grain rice and 6 of Camargue rice, all present in supermarkets and specialized organic stores.
Focus on the least contaminated by variety on the market.
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The best basmati rice references
Originally from India or Pakistan, basmati rice is favored for its long, fine grain.
Unfortunately, numerous pesticide residues were detected in the 14 references analyzed.
Thus, it is mainly references from organic farming that manage to climb to the top steps of the podium.
With one exception: in first place is Carrefour extra basmati rice, praised for its pesticide-free composition and its low levels of inorganic arsenic and aflatoxin.
A product sold for €2.79 per kilo and displaying a score of 18/20.
The Carrefour brand product is in first position in the ranking of basmati rice references.
Carrefour / Press photo
Obtaining a score of 17.5/20 and rising to second place on the list, is organic basmati rice from the Alter Eco brand.
Originating from India, it is much more expensive than the first reference, displaying a price of €8.50 per kilo.
On the other hand, this product is stamped with the Organic Fair Trade and Fair for Life labels, ensuring sustainable and fair trade.
Basmati rice from the Alter Eco brand is in second position.
Alter Eco / Press photo
The best references of Thai rice
Highly appreciated for its natural scent of jasmine, Thai rice is “unharmed, or almost, from chemical contamination”, according to
60 million consumers
.
On the other hand, traces of inorganic arsenic are almost systematically detected there and up to twice as much as in basmati rice.
In the Thai variety, it is rice from organic farming that takes the top step of the podium.
Obtaining a score of 16.5/20 and sold at €6.30 per kilo, this reference from the Autour du riz brand comes from Thailand and is labeled Fair Trade Organic.
White Thai rice from the Autour du riz brand reached second place in the ranking.
Around Rice / Press photo
Also obtaining a score of 16.5/20, organic Thai rice from the La Vie Claire brand reached second place in the ranking.
Sold for €7 per kilo, it is free of all traces of pesticides, like tebuconazole, a plant growth regulator, or cypermethrin, a powerful insecticide.
In second place: white Thai rice from the La Vie Claire brand.
La Vie Claire / Press photo
The best rice references from Camargue
Highly appreciated for its neutral taste and long grain, Camargue rice is preserved from all traces of pesticides.
Indeed, its 12,000 hectares of cultivation allow production “according to less intensive methods”, underlines the president of the Union of Rice Growers of France, Bernard Mazel, in the columns of
60 million consumers
.
Thus, in first position with a score of 17.5/20 is the IGP Grain Long Camargue rice from the brand Our regions have talent - E.Leclerc.
In addition to being pesticide-free, it is also noted for its low levels of inorganic arsenic and aflatoxins.
A product sold at a price of €3.80 per kilo.
The title of best Camargue rice goes to the brand Our regions have talent - E.Leclerc.
Our regions have talent / Press photo
In second position is a semi-complete IGP Camargue rice from the Bongran brand.
Obtaining a score of 16.5/20, this reference from organic farming displays a price of €5.50 per kilo.
In second position: semi-complete IGP Camargue rice from the Bongran brand.
Bongran / Press photo
The best long grain rice references
As for long grain rice, our colleagues inform that this variety is “relatively loaded” with arsenic, but that the quantities found in the 10 references analyzed remain compliant with the standards in force.
It is therefore the premium quality fragrant long rice Jasmine rice from the Riz du monde brand which appears on the first step of the podium.
Sold at €3.37 per kilo, it obtains a score of 16.5/20.
The premium quality Jasmine rice fragrant long rice from the Riz du monde brand reached first place in the ranking.
Rice from around the world / Press photo
A little less expensive, long unstickable rice from the Lustucru brand comes in second position in the ranking, sold at €3.15 per kilo and also obtaining 16.5/20.
So,
team
Camargue rice, Thai, basmati or long grain?
In second position?
Unstickable long rice from the Lustucru brand.
Lustucru / Press photo
(1) The complete survey can be found in the
60 million consumers
magazine currently on newsstands and on the website.