Along with contaminated drinking water, arsenic (As) contamination in rice has become a global concern as a potential dietary risk to human health. Arsenic naturally occurs in paddy soil and can be increased by irrigating with As-rich groundwater, which may have subsequent impact on rice grains. There have been many studies on As concentration in rice. Some studies have revealed that As concentration in rice depends on the As content in irrigated groundwater and soil, whereas others have shown that various other factors control As solubility, bioavailability and uptake in the soil-rhizosphere-plant system. This review discusses the major factors controlling As behavior in the soil-rhizosphere-plant system and the current status of As contamination in paddy rice from different parts of the world. Understanding this aspect is crucial for minimizing As toxicity in rice plants.