“Rice noodle are made by milling pure jasmine rice into flour which is then made into noodles of various widths. Our 3mm variety is ideal for soups and stir fries”

These thick rice noodles made from just rice are a perfect gluten free option.

As a result of the studies, the Food Stanards Agency is recommending that toddlers and young children should not have rice milk drinks, as a replacement for cows’ milk, breast milk or infant formula. This is because they will then drink a relatively large amount of it, and their intake of arsenic will be greater than that of older children and adults relative to their bodyweight. This is both on nutritional grounds and because such substitution can increase their intake of inorganic arsenic, which should be kept as low as possible. A daily half pint or 280 millilitres of rice drink could double the amount of the more harmful form of arsenic they consume each day.

The research published today examined 60 samples of rice drinks and found low levels of arsenic in all of them; arsenic levels ranged from 0.010 – 0.034 milligram/kilogram and the levels of inorganic – the more harmful – form of arsenic ranged from 0.005 – 0.020 milligram/kilogram. The proportion of inorganic arsenic in the rice drink samples ranged from 48 – 63%.

NB. Important to note that none of the results were over the current legal limit.

The FSA stated “There is no immediate risk to children who have been consuming rice drinks and it is unlikely that there would have been any long-term harmful effects but to reduce further exposure to arsenic parents should stop giving these drinks to toddlers and young children.”

So what to do now – is soya milk or oatly a good alternative, I think the best advise for those with small children is to seek advice from your health professional or dietitian on suitable replacements.

The agency also stated that “Other groups of people do not need to change their diet because their exposure to inorganic arsenic from rice drinks is lower relative to their bodyweight.” However it also states “people should consume as little of this form of arsenic as reasonably practicable.”

That’s the latest on arsenic in rice, I will keep us updated as more news and advice become avalible, as so far I am not sure either way if Rice Milk is still ok for me to drink. Overall I love the taste of rice milk but I a not sure arsenic in rice milk sounds like a great idea.

My Mom has always made a good rice pudding, its a firm family favourite.  Since realising my intolerance to dairy however, I had to miss out on this tasty treat.  That was, until recently, when we tried making a dairy free rice pudding using rice milk - and wow it worked YEAH!

Here’s the recipe, so you too can share in the yummy, comforting dairy free rice pudding delight…

• 5 oz pudding rice
• 1 carton of Rice Dream Rice Milk
• 2 oz raisins (if desired)
• Sprinkling of nutmeg

Dairy Free Rice Pudding Recipe:

• Preheat the oven to 150c / 300f / Gas Mark 2.
• Place the rice, rice milk and raisins (if desired) in an ovenproof dish.  Sprinkle a little nutmeg over the top.
• Place in the over for 2 hours.
• Leave to cool slightly, then serve warm.  Can also be eaten chilled.

Dairy FREE Rice Pudding

Brown Rice Pudding

As a kinder on the tummy alternative to pudding rice, you can use brown rice.  This requires a slightly different approach…

Use the same ingredients replacing 5 oz pudding rice with brown.

• Weigh out the rice and wash under cold water for a couple of minutes to remove the starch.
• Place in a saucepan on the hob with the rice milk, raisins (if desired) and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
• Bring to the boil.  Then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 30 – 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fluid has been absorbed, stir occasionally.
• Take off the heat, cover and leave in the pan to steam for 15 minutes.
• Leave to cool slightly, then serve warm.  Can also be eaten chilled.

Note – brown rice, in its nature, will be firmer than pudding rice and so will have more bite to it.

Rice Pudding Suggestions…

• Serve as is, or with a spoonful of St Dalfours Fruit Spread (available in a variety of flavours) to give the rice pudding that extra edge.
• Use half Rice Milk and half Vanilla / Almond / Hazelnut Rice Milk for extra natural sweetness and flavour.
• Split open a vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds adding them, and the pod, to the rice pudding before cooking.  Be sure to remove the pod before serving.
• Use half Rice Milk and half Coconut Milk for a small added luxury.

Happy Autumnal Comfort Food – enjoy my dairy free rice pudding – Yum!