Rice

Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice). It is a staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in Asia. It is typically harvested, milled to remove the husk, and then can be further processed into white rice or left as brown rice.

Rice is primarily used as a main ingredient in many dishes and processed foods. It can be consumed whole, ground into flour for baking or thickening, or processed into products like rice cakes, noodles, and cereals. Manufacturers use it as a base, filler, or binder in various food products.

Rice is a common food ingredient and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when consumed as a food. It is a good source of carbohydrates and provides energy. A potential concern with rice is the presence of naturally occurring inorganic arsenic, which the FDA monitors and provides advice on to help consumers reduce exposure. JECFA has evaluated arsenic as a contaminant in food, but rice itself is a food, not an additive, so an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is not applicable to rice as a whole food.