Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup is a sugar with high glycemic index (~98). Caloric and metabolic concerns mirror other added sugars.
What it is
Sweetener produced by enzymatically converting brown rice starch to maltose, maltotriose, and glucose.
Sweetener and binder; used in granola bars, cereals, and as 'natural' alternative to refined sugar.
Why it's flagged
- high glycemic index
- added sugar contributing to dietary excess
- potential inorganic arsenic from rice
What regulators actually say
"FDA has issued an action level of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal."
"Added sugars include sugars that are added during the processing of foods... or are packaged as such, and include sugars (free, mono- and disaccharides), sugars from syrups and honey."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Permitted as added sugar; arsenic action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal at 100 ppb.
European Union — EFSA
Permitted as added sugar.
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app