In March 2019 researchers from Sweden published the results of their study to assess the levels of inorganic arsenic and total arsenic in common food products on the Swedish market. A special focus was given to rice, fish and shellfish products. Results showed that two market basket food groups, cereals (including rice), and sweets and condiments (a mixed group of sugar, sweets, tomato ketchup and dressings), contained the highest average inorganic arsenic levels (average levels 9 and 7 μg iAs/kg respectively), whereas other food groups, including fish, did not exceed 2 μg iAs/kg. Varying levels of inorganic arsenic were found in separate samples of tomato ketchup, range 2.4-26 μg/kg, and may be one of the reason for the rather high average level of inorganic arsenic in the food group sweets and condiments. However, some specfic food products revealed higher inorganic arsenic levels, eg rice crackers (152 μg iAs/kg) and Norway lobster (89 μg iAs/kg). The intake of inorganic arsenic via food was estimated using information from two consumption surveys, performed in 2010-11, which involved 1,797 adults and 2,259 children. This revealed that the inorganic arsenic intake for rice eaters was about 1.4 times higher than for non-rice eaters.
Kollander B et al. Inorganic arsenic in food products on the Swedish market and a risk-based intake assessment. Sci Total Environ. 2019 Mar 25;672:525-535