Highlights: American rice, widely consumed in Haiti, is polluted with heavy metals, according to a study. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the University of Michigan. In 2020, a Haitian ate on average 85 kg of rice compared to 12 kg for an American. Nearly all imported rice samples exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recommendations for children's consumption. Heavy metals increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the study indicates. The flood of American rice in Haiti is not only economically violent for Haitian farmers, but also violent for the long-term health of Haitian consumers.

Most of the rice Haitians eat is polluted. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the University of Michigan, released last week. Rice imported from the United States. But it is…

American rice, widely consumed in Haiti, is polluted with heavy metals, according to a study

Most of the rice Haitians eat is polluted.

This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the University of Michigan, released last week.

Rice imported from the United States.

But it is a staple food for Haitians.

These American researchers are sounding the alarm.

A rice and seeds seller in Port-au-Prince, February 19, 2019. © IVAN ALVARADO / REUTERS

By: RFI Follow

In 2020, a Haitian ate on average 85 kg of rice compared to 12 kg for an American.

Consumption which began to explode in the mid-1980s under the influence of Washington which found a good way to sell its production.

Currently, nearly 90% of the rice consumed in Haiti comes from the United States, in particular, because it is cheap in a country where 40% of the population does not have enough to eat.

However, this rice is contaminated with heavy metals, reveals

this study from the University of Michigan

Traces of cadmium and arsenic, heavy metals, have been noted at levels sometimes higher than authorized standards.

Not only is American rice polluted, but it is twice as polluted as that produced in Haiti, twice as much.

Nearly all imported rice samples exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recommendations for children's consumption.

Increased risk of cancer

“

The flood of American rice in Haiti is not only economically violent for Haitian farmers who struggle to sell their local product, but also violent for the long-term health of Haitian consumers

,” the study indicates.

Heavy metals increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Researchers are therefore concerned about the health of Haitians.

They demand that investigations be carried out in the United States and encourage Haiti to end this dependence by developing its rice growing.

Also read: Haiti faces a food crisis which “arises mainly from armed gang violence”

American rice, widely consumed in Haiti, is polluted with heavy metals, according to a study

American rice, widely consumed in Haiti, is polluted with heavy metals, according to a study

Increased risk of cancer

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