Rice Bran | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Rice bran is the nutrient-rich outer layer removed from rice grains during milling of Oryza sativa, comprising the bran layer, aleurone layer, seed coat, and part of the endosperm. It is used in food products as a functional ingredient, dietary fiber source, and substrate for oil extraction due to its dense profile of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive phytonutrients.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Rice bran is broadly considered safe for the general adult population and has GRAS status in the United States; it is rich in beneficial compounds including γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, and tocotrienols with documented anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering effects. A key safety concern is the potential for contamination with heavy metals (notably inorganic arsenic), aflatoxins, and pesticide residues depending on agricultural and processing conditions, with no universally harmonized regulatory limits for these contaminants specifically in rice bran. Raw, unstabilized rice bran is also prone to rapid rancidity, and its high phytic acid content may reduce mineral bioavailability when consumed in large quantities.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	EFSA FCM Panel (2024) assessed rice bran wax derivatives (oxidised forms) for use in food contact materials (PET, PA, PLA, PVC) up to 0.3% w/w; concluded not of safety concern for consumers at assessed migration levels. Rice bran as a direct food ingredient is not subject to a specific EU food additive regulation (it is treated as a whole food/ingredient), but contaminant limits (e.g., arsenic, aflatoxins) apply under EU Regulation (EC) 1881/2006.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Rice bran and rice bran oil regulated under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011; labeling of rice bran oil quantity in blended edible oil products is mandatory per Regulation 2.4.5(34).source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Rice bran extract affirmed as GRAS (GRN 884) by FDA for use as a food ingredient; no numerical ADI established. Mean dietary exposure estimated at 1.60 g/person/day for the U.S. population aged 2+.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Kidney Disease — Rice bran is naturally high in phosphorus and potassium; individuals with chronic kidney disease who need to restrict these minerals should limit intake and consult a dietitian.

Ibs — The high insoluble fiber and phytic acid content of rice bran may exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

Ibd — High-fiber ingredients like rice bran may aggravate symptoms during active flares of inflammatory bowel disease; patients should consult their physician before use.

Infants — Rice-based products, including rice bran, can be a source of inorganic arsenic, which poses a disproportionate risk to infants and young children given their lower body weight and higher relative intake; regulatory bodies including EFSA and FDA have specifically flagged arsenic in rice for this age group.

Pregnancy — Inorganic arsenic exposure from rice-derived products, including rice bran, is of heightened concern during pregnancy due to potential developmental toxicity; pregnant individuals are advised to diversify grain sources.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Rice bran: Nutritional value, health benefits, and global implications for aflatoxin mitigation, cancer, diabetes, and diarrhea prevention, 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2PubMed. Rice bran as a potent ingredient: unveiling its potential for value-added applications, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3EFSA. Safety assessment of the substances 'wax, rice bran, oxidised' and 'wax, rice bran, oxidised, calcium salt' for use in food contact materials, 2024. efsa.europa.eu
4PubMed. Composition, Microbiota, Mechanisms, and Anti-Obesity Properties of Rice Bran, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5FDA. GRAS Notice GRN 884 Agency Response Letter – Rice Bran Extract, 2019. fda.gov
6PubMed. Rice bran constituents: immunomodulatory and therapeutic activities, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched6 citations