Fact check: Which countries/brands use chlorine dioxide to wash their rice? is it allowed in EU?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is no direct confirmation of specific countries or brands using chlorine dioxide for rice washing. However, chlorine dioxide is permitted in the EU for food processing and meets EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) standards ^[1]. Several EU countries, particularly Italy and Germany, use chlorine dioxide as a primary oxidant and disinfectant in water treatment ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points need to be considered:

• The EU has recently implemented stricter regulations on chlorate (a byproduct of chlorine-based treatments) in food products, with specific maximum residue levels established in 2020 ^[3]
• When discussing rice processing, it's worth noting that the focus is often on pesticide reduction through various methods including milling, washing, and cooking, rather than specifically on chlorine dioxide treatment ^[4]
• The EU is actively working on establishing new maximum residue levels for chlorine-based disinfectants in both food and water ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question makes several assumptions that need to be addressed:

• It assumes chlorine dioxide is commonly used for rice washing, while the available sources suggest its primary use in the EU is for water treatment and general food processing ^[2]
• The question oversimplifies the regulatory framework - while chlorine dioxide is allowed in the EU ^[1], its use is subject to complex regulations and ongoing scrutiny, particularly regarding chlorate residues ^[3]
• The focus on brands and countries might be misplaced, as the more relevant concern appears to be the broader regulatory framework and safety standards being developed by the EU ^[5]