Exposure to cadmium through Italian rice (Oryza sativa L.): Consumption and implications for human health

Cd bioaccumulation was investigated in the most consumed rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) in Italy to assess the health risk related to consumption of the cereal for Italian population. In addition, the health implications concerning to consumption of rice-based foods was evaluated for Italian infants. Cadmium was detected by Q-ICP-MS. Method was validated in compliance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025. Cd concentrations were found below the Maximum Levels (MLs) established at the European Union level for rice (0.092 mg kg−1 for brown rice and 0.062 mg kg−1 for white rice). The Cd Estimated Weekly Intakes (EWIs) through brown rice and white rice consumption by total population accounted approximately for 6% and 4% of the TWI set by the European Food Safety Authority (2.5 μg kg−1 body weight), respectively. The Cd EWIs through rice consumption by different population groups obtained in this survey did not show notable differences with those related to the total population except for child group that showed the highest EWIs of Cd. As regards to the Cd EWIs quantified for infants of four, six and eight month old considering the rice-based infant food consumption accounted for 22%, 38%, and 36% of the EFSA TWI, respectively.