Hidden hunger is a key public health issue in developing countries like the Philippines and is caused by the lack of fundamental vitamins and important minerals (e.g. vitamin A, zinc, iron, iodine) in the diet. Frequently, the indications of this form of malnutrition are ‘hidden’, as people may “look OK” but are actually going through extreme adverse impacts on health and well-being. Hidden hunger can result to infirmities, blindness, untimely death, reduced productivity, and damaged mental development, specifically among women and children.
There is one food that can fight it — brown rice.
As opposed to many people’s thinking, brown rice is not a rice variety nor a technique of cultivating rice. It is basically a post-harvest milling technology.
After realizing that nutrients have been removed during milling, experts thought of bringing the nutrients back in through the process called mechanical fortification. Another method that will not require biological augmentation or mechanical nutrients supplementation is called the nutrient retention approach or preventing the elimination of vital nutrients, and brown rice, is an example of this method.
In the book entitled, “Rice Chemistry and Quality”, Dr. Bienvenido O. Juliano wrote that rice eaters in the Far East are known to be lacking in iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, energy and protein. Similarly, an article written by Dr. Emil Q. Javier, high official of CGIAR and former UP president, enumerated the percentages of micronutrients removed when rice is polished — protein (5%), fat (85%), calcium (90%), phosphorous (75%), thiamine (80%), riboflavin (70%), and niacin (68% ).
The lack of important vitamins and minerals in the diet and the unfavorable outcomes of such deficiency on human health is what comprises hidden hunger. When loss of sight among children is evident, when indicators of nutritional anemia show, when weight of children is hampered, and when children appear to be less good-natured and mobile because of the overall weakness — hidden hunger has struck.
Basically, brown rice is far more superior than polished rice. For more than a few years now, the Asia Rice Foundation in alliance with other agencies specifically NNC, NCP, PhilRice, FNRI, UPLB, NFA etc, has been endorsing and campaigning for the revitalization of brown rice consumption. The crusade has been fastened on manifold reasons — nutritional value, augmentation of supply and economics.
The fuel savings in milling is 50-60% because the polishing and whitening steps are eliminated. It follows that milling time has been shortened, labor is lessened, and the financial outlay of equipment (if the mill is dedicated to brown rice) is much lower because the miller does not have to set up polishers and whiteners.
The augmentation in output volume and the economic benefits during milling make up the attractive business opportunities of brown rice. At the moment the price of brown rice per kilo in supermarkets and groceries is higher than polished rice. In some outlets, it could be more. The market for brown rice at present is a niche market as only the ‘nutrition conscious’ and the ‘middle to high-income’ groups can afford to buy it. However, with increased public awareness and person-to-person influences, supply will surely be driven up since demand will definitely increase. Meanwhile, mainstream consumers need to see brown rice in their favorite retail stores, in order to change their purchasing patterns. Ultimately, there will be a shift in the supply-demand equilibrium which correspondingly will drive the price down making it more affordable to all end-users.
Therefore, let us revive the lost and forgotten health food called BROWN RICE and combat ‘hidden hunger’ simultaneously boosting the agricultural economy of the city and of the nation.
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Author’s email: legis616821@gmail.com
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