Basmati rice, grown primarily in India and Pakistan, is known for its long, thin grains, low stickiness after cooking, and delicate but unmistakable aroma. Perfect for exotic recipes and light dishes, it has always been a symbol of healthy and international cuisine. But the charm of this fragrant rice seems to hide a dark side, as demonstrated by the recent test Altroconsumo out of 8 products on sale in Italian supermarkets.
In fact, the results revealed a less than reassuring picture: no product reached acceptable quality, and in one case the aflatoxins even exceeded the legal limits.
The results
Laboratory analyzes highlighted the presence of aflatoxins in 5 out of 8 samples. These are mycotoxins produced by molds that develop in conditions of humidity and heat, typical of the climates in which Basmati is grown.
The most serious case concerns Basmati Curtiriso rice, in which the quantities of aflatoxin B1 exceed the legal limits (set at 2 μg/kg). Other aflatoxins (B2, G1 and G2) were also detected in the sample, for this reason Altroconsumo recommends avoiding the purchase of this product.
Even the other samples, however, did not come out exactly clean from the test. In 4 out of 8 products, aflatoxins, although remaining below the legal limits, are not negligible for health, especially in the case of habitual consumption.
In addition to mycotoxins, analyzes identified pesticide residues in almost half of the rices tested. All formally respect the legal limits, but in several cases these are active ingredients banned in Europe, still used in the countries of origin of basmati. Some of the pesticides detected are classified as endocrine disruptors by Anses (French Agency for Food Safety) or as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction) by the European Union.
Altroconsumo also recalls that in the first six months of 2025, the European Rapid Alert System (RASFF) reported 66 cases of contamination of basmati rice imported into the EU, mostly coming from India and Pakistan. The most frequent causes? Just banned pesticides and aflatoxins beyond the limits.
On average, a consignment of basmati is blocked or recalled every three days at European borders. A pace that photographs a fairly structural problem and which the National Risi Authority has defined as “intolerable”, calling for stricter reciprocal rules for those who export to Europe.
The ranking of basmati rice
Here is the ranking (if we can call it that) of the Basmati rices tested. All brands were found to be of low quality and one was even rejected.
How the test was conducted
The analyzed products were purchased in May 2025 and subjected to laboratory analyzes between June and September 2025. Altroconsumo carried out in-depth checks on several parameters crucial for the safety and quality of rice: heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic (rice is a crop particularly at risk for these contaminants), pesticide residues (over 700 different substances were searched for), and mycotoxins such as aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A and DON.
The test also verified the correspondence between the variety declared on the label and the one actually contained in the package, the humidity of the grain (important for conservation), the presence of defects such as broken or damaged grains, and the completeness of the information on the label.
Finally, the rices were subjected to a taste test by a jury of consumers, who tasted them anonymously prepared according to the traditional method (boiled).
The final evaluation gave a weight of 45% to laboratory tests, 45% to consumer tasting and 10% to the label. Serious non-compliances, such as exceeding safety limits for mycotoxins, obviously weighed heavily on the overall rating of the product.
The Italian alternatives
In light of these results, the advice of Altroconsumo is to pay close attention to labels and origin. Better to limit the consumption of basmati and alternate it with aromatic Italian varieties such as Apollo, Fragrance or Iarim, similar in aroma and consistency but grown in a more controlled way.
Apollo is an Italian variety with a long, tapered and aromatic grain, grown mainly in Piedmont and Sardinia which is characterized by excellent cooking resistance and is reminiscent of Asian rices such as Basmati in its aroma and consistency.
Fragrance is an Italian variety with a long, very tapered grain. It is one of the first Italian aromatic rices, whose fragrance, similar to sandalwood, recalls Asian rices. Ideal for side dishes, cold dishes and rice salads.
Iarim is an Italian variety with a long, tapered and intensely aromatic grain that stands out for the scent of white flowers and grainy consistency, ideal for rice salads, side dishes, international dishes and pilaf cooking.
How to store rice safely
Home storage also counts in preventing the formation of mold and aflatoxins. It is essential to avoid hot and humid environments and store rice in a dry place, away from heat sources, preferably in airtight containers.
