Jenny,

I'm so glad you posted this! I buy my organic brown rice from the bulk bin at my nfs. I always wash my rice before cooking it, so I figured it was "safe". But I too have been grinding it into flour lately, and we're noticing some problems. I don't wash it before I grind it. I wonder if it is cross-contamination? Hmmmmm ... can you wash it, let it dry, then grind?

On a side note, it may be a moot point for me. I made the decision a couple of years ago to get a k-tec champ instead of a vita mix. Unfortunately, its already been in for repairs once and needs to go again.