PhilRice to launch Brown Rice Day

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will launch tomorrow the Brown Rice Day, the first of such celebration in the world and in the country in observance of the National Year of Rice (NYR).

The Brown Rice Day aims to encourage the food service industry to serve unpolished rice and to increase public awareness on its inherent characteristics and health benefits, according to Hazel Antonio, NYR campaign director.

Citing studies, Antonio said eating brown or unpolished rice could reduce cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, and stroke.

The consumption of brown rice may also diminish cancer and diabetes, according to studies.

Polishing brown rice removes 15 percent of protein; 85 percent fat; 80 percent thiamine; 70 percent riboflavin; 68 percent niacin; 90 percent calcium; 75 percent phosphorous, and 60 percent of other minerals.

“We want Filipinos to get these nutrients, which is lost when rice is fully polished. Thus, we encourage the food industry to serve unpolished rice to the public on this unique day,” Antonio said.

Eating brown rice can also help the country attain rice self-sufficiency as it has 10 percent higher milling recovery.

A study showed that if each Filipino would eat brown rice, the country’s rice importation would shrink by an average of 50,000 metric tons per year.

The Brown Rice Day will feature exhibits on cheap brown rice at the China Town Mall in Divisoria, feeding program of Jollibee Foundation, and brown rice-based food products such as espasol, bibingkang kanin, and palitao.