Fermented Rice
Fermented rice is a traditional whole-food product. Like brown rice, it may carry inorganic arsenic concerns at high consumption.
What it is
Rice subjected to microbial fermentation, often by yeasts and lactic bacteria, producing flavor and texture changes.
Base for sake, vinegars, fermented beverages, traditional dishes; ingredient in baked goods.
Why it's flagged
- arsenic from rice
- for red yeast rice: citrinin contamination and statin-like effects
What regulators actually say
"Red yeast rice products that contain ... lovastatin can have the same risks as the drug lovastatin."
"Monacolin K from red yeast rice raises significant safety concerns."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Whole-food fermented product; red yeast rice with significant monacolin K considered an unapproved drug.
European Union — EFSA
Permitted; max 3 mg/day monacolin K limit on red yeast rice supplements (EU 2022).
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