Malusog Rice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are answers to common questions about Golden Rice. Feel free to contact us if you need additional information on any of these topics. You may also join the Golden Rice discussion at the official social media channels of the Golden Rice Project on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

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ABOUT GOLDEN RICE

What is Golden Rice?

Malusog Rice is a type of rice that contains beta carotene (a source of vitamin A), and gives the grain its golden color. When people eat food containing beta carotene, it is converted to vitamin A as needed by the body. According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, about one cup of Malusog Rice may provide up to 30-50% of the vitamin A needs of preschool age children and pregnant or lactating mothers.

Because rice is widely produced and consumed, Malusog Rice has the potential to reach many people, including those who do not have reliable access to or cannot afford other sources of vitamin A. Malusog Rice is intended to be used in combination with existing approaches to reduce vitamin A deficiency (VAD). These findings were validated in a desk study by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

How was Golden Rice developed?

Malusog (Golden) Rice was developed using genetic modification, with genes from corn and a common soil microorganism that together produce beta carotene in the rice grain. The beta carotene in Malusog Rice is the same as the beta carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients.

Who developed Golden Rice?

Malusog (Golden) Rice was first developed by Professor Ingo Potrykus, then of the Institute for Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Professor Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg, Germany. The co-inventors have donated the technology for Malusog Rice to resource-poor farmers in developing countries. The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) is leading the development and deployment of Malusog Rice in the Philippines, in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

As a GMO product, is Golden Rice safe for humans?

Malusog Rice is safe to eat, just like other genetically engineered foods developed under strict regulation by experts. Before any genetically modified (GM) foods become available in the market, they must pass rigorous safety assessments and must not demonstrate a high likelihood of putting human health at risk. In the countries where GM foods have been approved, there have been no scientifically proven negative effects on human health due to consumption of GM foods.

Malusog Rice received positive food safety evaluations from Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Health Canada, and the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2018. In December 2019, Malusog Rice passed a rigorous biosafety assessment in the Philippines, and was declared “as safe as conventional rice” by the country’s Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry.

How is Golden Rice better than regular rice?

Malusog Rice is an enhanced version of ordinary rice designed to handle a specific nutrition issue, without any additional cost or difference in taste.

While Malusog Rice is expected to cost and taste the same as regular rice, its beta carotene content makes it a valuable asset in the battle against VAD. Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for growth, development, and keeping the body’s visual and immune systems healthy. VAD weakens the body’s resistance to diseases and infections, causes blindness, and may even result in death if left untreated. In the Philippines where rice is a staple of nearly every meal, beta carotene-enriched Malusog Rice can supply up to 30-50 percent of the estimated average vitamin
A requirement (EAR), particularly for sectors that are most vulnerable to VAD: preschool age children and pregnant or lactating mothers.

Is vitamin A deficiency that big of a problem?

Many people in the developing world do not get enough vitamin A or beta carotene from the food they eat, contributing to the serious public health problem of VAD.

VAD remains a major public health problem across the world, with women and children being the most vulnerable to it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), VAD afflicts 250 million people worldwide, most of which are preschool children (190 million) and pregnant women (19 million).

VAD is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children, and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections. Each year, up to 500,000 children go blind as a result of VAD. Half of them die within 12 months of losing their sight.

In the Philippines, VAD incidence continues to be a significant public health issue affecting nearly 17 percent, or 2 million Filipino children under the age of 5. This is based on the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey of the DOST-FNRI.

Why do we need Golden Rice?

Current approaches (such as vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, diet diversification, and promotion of optimal breastfeeding), have made some successes in combating VAD. However, more work is necessary to address the needs of certain target populations, especially those in remote areas. Additionally, millions continue to suffer from VAD to this day.

Studies have shown that the addition of vitamin A (or some form of vitamin A) to the diets of children below the age of 5 could reduce all mortality by 24-30 percent.
Meanwhile, vitamin A availability could prevent 1.3-2.5 million of the nearly 8 million late-infancy and preschool-age child deaths annually in developing countries with the highest risk.

With rice being a staple food in many vitamin A-deficient communities, Malusog Rice presents a unique opportunity for meeting the nutritional needs of these populations, in combination with other existing interventions.

DEPLOYMENT

When will Golden Rice seeds be available?

Currently, DA-PhilRice, IRRI, partner agencies, selected seed growers and farmers are multiplying the seeds of Malusog Rice following the approval of the biosafety permit for commercial propagation by DA-BPI. Malusog Rice has been distributed in the first quarter of 2022 in areas where VAD is prevalent. Once the supply of Malusog Rice is sufficiently increased, more areas in the Philippines can benefit from the added beta-carotene in its grains.

Who will distribute Malusog Rice? Will it be given for free?

DA-PhilRice is the lead organization for developing a deployment plan that includes seed distribution of Malusog Rice in the Philippines. DA-PhilRice will work with relevant agencies and organizations to ensure a targeted and well-coordinated distribution system and will make the necessary announcements once there are enough seeds to be distributed to the farmers. Malusog Rice seeds will be given for free in the target provinces as part of pilot-scale deployment.

I am interested in becoming a farmer-cooperator or partner seed grower for the next planting season. How can I avail of Malusog Rice seeds?

Interested farmers from the priority provinces for deployment and seed or grain production may provide their contact details at the nearest DA-PhilRice branch station. Staff will reach out about the guidelines for farmer-cooperators once sufficient seed supply has been established for upcoming planting seasons.

Will Malusog Rice seeds be available to private seed companies?

For the initial phase of seed production and deployment, DA-PhilRice is prioritizing distribution to selected farmers, seed growers, and research centers. A comprehensive strategy for expansion through the private sector is still under development. Interested companies may leave their contact details at the nearest DA-PhilRice branch station.

What will be the next step now that Golden Rice has been approved for cultivation?

The first line of Malusog Rice has been registered by the National Seed Industry Council with its varietal name NSIC 2022 Rc 682GR2E or Malusog 1. Other popular varieties are being prepared for registration. Movingforward, Malusog Rice research will focus on measuring impact on nutrient intake and expanding partnerships in countries where it may provide significant public health benefits.

Other products in the pipeline is the High Iron and Zinc Rice (HIZR)n which is developed to address the problem of micronutrient deficiency, especially iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and zinc deficiency. In the Philippines, these nutritional amounts will be stacked with the Malusog Rice traits providing 3-in-1 rice that contains vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Currently, HIZR is undergoing another round of confined testing to determine the best variety to undergo field trials.

How will Malusog Rice be deployed?

As Malusog Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help address VAD, it will be deployed through market- and program-based approaches in partnership with relevant agencies that implement nutrition and public health programs. DA-PhilRice and its partners will seek the necessary policy support to make this beta carotene enriched rice available, accessible, and affordable to Filipinos, especially in areas where malnutrition is a high concern.

What changes will be needed before Malusog Rice can be commercialized on a large scale?

To ensure the highest quality of seed for farmers and a safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos, DA-PhilRice will be putting in place a comprehensive quality assurance and stewardship program that covers all steps in the chain from seed production, post-harvest processing, to marketing.

How will Malusog Rice be deployed?

As Malusog Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help address VAD, it will be deployed through market- and program-based approaches in partnership with relevant agencies that implement nutrition and public health programs. DA-PhilRice and its partners will seek the necessary policy support to make this beta carotene enriched rice available, accessible, and affordable to Filipinos, especially in areas where malnutrition is a high concern.

Who will buy the milled Malusog Rice from farmers?

DA-PhilRice is currently conducting studies to determine the most effective way of purchasing Malusog Rice where the first beneficiaries will be our farmers and communities who are most in need of the additional vitamin A available in Malusog Rice.

What are the priority provinces for Malusog Rice deployment?

Malusog Rice will be planted first in provinces with a high prevalence of stunting, which is an indicator of VAD. Data used is derived from the most recent National Nutrition Survey conducted by DOST-FNRI and the Philippine Plan of Action Priority Areas 2017-2022. As of Wet Season 2022, Malusog Rice has been planted in ten regions and will be distributed to more areas once sufficient supply becomes available.

How do we ensure purity and quality of Malusog Rice across the value chain?

A comprehensive quality assurance and stewardship program that covers all steps in the chain from seed production, to post-harvest processing, to marketing is being developed by DA-PhilRice to ensure the quality and purity of the Malusog Rice that will reach farmers’ fields and consumers’ tables.

Who will be in charge of monitoring the impacts of Malusog Rice?

An efficacy study will be conducted by an independent organization with expertise in public health to determine whether Malusog Rice improves vitamin A status of individuals. DA-PhilRice will lead the monitoring and evaluation of Malusog Rice as it moves through the distribution system.

Is Malusog Rice only available in the Philippines?

Bangladesh scientists are also developing Malusog Rice using their popular inbred local varieties. It is currently undergoing regulatory review.

Do we have proof that countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada approved Golden Rice for cultivation?

The proponents sought Food Safety Permits for use of Golden Rice as Food, Feed or for Processing in these jurisdictions, and did not apply for Commercial Propagation Permits. This is because vitamin A deficiency is neither a public health problem in these countries, nor does rice form a major component of their diet.

Links to the Food Safety reports are listed below:
Australia/New Zealand
United States
Canada

Why did the Supreme Court issue a Writ of Kalikasan on Golden Rice and Bt talong?

The Supreme Court issued a Writ of Kalikasan against Golden Rice and Bt talong in response to case G.R. No. 263565 (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-Unlad ng Agrikultura, et al. v. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, et. al.)

We expect the Writ of Kalikasan will revisit an earlier petition to rescind the biosafety permit regarding compliance issues, each of which was comprehensively addressed by the regulators, and the petition was denied.

What does the announcement of a Writ of Kalikasan mean for our work on deployment?

Although the writ was issued, the court did not grant a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO). The respondents were only required to submit a verified return within 10 days upon the receipt of the decision,which they have complied with. In the absence of a TEPO, all activities related to the current production are proceeding as scheduled. The Malusog Rice Program regularly sends updates, if there are, to its partners and stakeholders in relation to the Writ of Kalikasan.

PRODUCTION

Will farmers need additional training to be able to plant Malusog Rice?

Malusog Rice is not expected to require any changes in farm management or cultivation practices. Everything about local cultivation practices currently followed for conventional rice varieties, including the application of fertilizer, crop protection products, and labor, are directly applicable to the cultivation of Malusog Rice.

Can Malusog Rice make weeds a bigger problem?

Confined field tests of Malusog Rice at multiple locations in the Philippines have confirmed that there were no unintended or unexpected changes in the characteristics of rice concerning seedling germination and vigour, plant growth and morphology, reproductive characteristics, and susceptibility to pests and diseases resulting from genetic engineering. Malusog Rice can co-exist with organic agriculture and other production systems, and will not make any other species more invasive or less viable.

Is the farming method of Malusog Rice the same as inbred or hybrid?

Malusog Rice is an inbred rice variety so the method of planting and caring for it is the same. Like other inbred varieties, its seed can be used in subsequent plantings.

How many cavans could be produced per hectare? How much is its production cost per hectare?

The yield of Malusog Rice is estimated at 5 tons or higher, depending on the area, per hectare per season. The production cost of Malusog Rice like application of pesticides, fertilizer, etc. are the same as ordinary inbred rice.

Is there any difference in the availability of pollen from Malusog Rice to live, grow, or develop?

There are no unintended effects on Malusog Rice’s pollen viability due to genetic engineering. Based on comparisons of pollen morphology and viability between GR2E Malusog Rice and conventional rice, there are no significant differences in pollen viability or appearance.

Will planting Malusog Rice have any harmful effects on other rice varieties through cross pollination or out-crossing?

Cross-pollination in rice is rare if plants are separated by a short distance of a few feet or meters. It is also uncommon in rice, unless all the rice plants are flowering at the same time. Rice pollen is normally viable for only a few minutes after flowering.

In other words, organically-grown rice will not cross-pollinate naturally with other cultivated rice, unless they are growing close together and flowering at the same time. Additionally, the beta carotene-producing trait in Malusog Rice is not intended to affect the growth-related characteristics of rice. It will also not make it any more or less viable than conventional varieties.

Will there be a problem if I mix Malusog Rice with other rice varieties?

Admixture of different rice varieties is inevitable in fields that are planted with different varieties per season, due to dropped seeds. It can also happen at various points in the postharvest process, such as during drying and milling, because it is common practice to share post-harvest facilities within a community.

Based on the consumer standard under the Philippines National Standard for Paddy and Milled Rice (PNS/BAFS 290:2019) set by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), the highest grade of milled rice (premium) allows 3% of “contrasting types”, which are paddy/rice kernels of different varieties other than the variety designated, wherein the size, shape, and color differ distinctly from the characteristics of kernels of the variety designated.

A small admixture will not reduce the nutritional value of Malusog Rice and it will remain as safe as ordinary rice; the only difference is its beta carotene content which gives it a golden yellow color. As such, this should pose no issue for Malusog Rice planted for personal consumption, but farmers planting Malusog Rice for commercial production may want to adopt more rigorous practices, such as proper land preparation and strict roguing, to minimize admixture in order to gain the highest grade of milled rice and receive maximum profit. For seed production, separation of Malusog Rice from other varieties is critical as a certain level of purity is required. To meet the consumer standard, the seeds must achieve at least 97% purity. To be able to do this, seed growers should observe the required crop management practices for ensuring seed purity.

Does Malusog Rce’s beta carotene content have an effect on yield?

Results of recently conducted tests have shown that Malusog Rice has no unintended effects on yield or grain quality. Aside from the beta carotene content of the grain, Malusog Rice is basically the same as conventional rice varieties.

Additionally, based on germination tests conducted under two different temperature regimes, genetic engineering did not result in any unintended changes that could affect Malusog Rice’s seedling development or environmental growth.

Would DA require or enforce farmers to exclusively plant Malusog Rice?

The DA ensures that Filipino farmers are empowered to make decisions on what best serves them and their family based on the best-possible options to improve their crops, raise their farm productivity, and increase their income. Malusog Rice is a nutrient-dense type of rice like brown rice, black rice, and red rice: an additional option for farmers to plant that can help in ensuring micronutrient sufficiency.

The Department promotes a range of technologies, interventions, and safety nets to attain its vision of a food-secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.

Would DA require or enforce farmers to exclusively plant Golden Rice?

The DA ensures that Filipino farmers are empowered to make decisions on what best serves them and their family based on the best-possible options to improve their crops, raise their farm productivity, and increase their income. Golden Rice is a nutrient-dense type of rice like brown rice, black rice, and red rice: an additional option for farmers to plant that can help in ensuring micronutrient sufficiency.

The Department promotes a range of technologies, interventions and safety nets to attain its vision of a food secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.

Will farmers make money from planting it?

Due to the high yield nature of the popular inbred rice background of Malusog Rice, there is also a high probability that farmers will earn from planting Malusog Rice.

Will I have to spend more on pest control if I plant Malusog Rice? Will it result in stronger pests or new crop diseases?

Malusog Rice does not have any modified or introduced resistance to insect pests or diseases. It is not expected to drive the evolution of resistant pest populations or require any changes in pest control practices. No occurrences of pest and beneficial insect species were observed during Malusog Rice confined field tests. Malusog Rice was not seen as a preferred host for pest insects, nor did it cause any harmful effects on the prevalence of beneficial species.

Will Malusog Rice affect cultivation of heirloom varieties of rice?

Heirloom rice varieties are mostly planted in the highlands. Malusog Rice varieties are for irrigated lowlands. They will not grow productively in the highlands. PhilRice is deploying Malusog Rice in irrigated lowland farms far from known production areas of heirloom rice varieties.

CONSUMPTION

When can I eat Malusog Rice?

Considering the amount of time needed to produce enough seeds for farm cultivation, Malusog Rice will be made available for consumption initially in areas with high prevalence of VAD by the last quarter of 2022. More areas will be covered as more supply becomes available.

Is Malusog Rice effective as a complementary supplement for VAD?

Malusog Rice is intended to be used in combination with existing approaches to overcome VAD including eating foods that are naturally high in beta carotene or processed foods fortified with vitamin A; oral supplementation, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding practices.

An independent bioefficacy study will be conducted by an organization with expertise in public health to determine the impact of Malusog Rice on vitamin A intake.

How should I cook Malusog Rice?

Like the planting method, the cooking method is no different from ordinary rice.

How much Malusog Rice will I have to eat to have enough vitamin A in the body? Can I overdose if I eat too much?

One cup of cooked Malusog Rice can provide 30-50% EAR of vitamin A for preschool children and two cups for school children and adults. It will have to be eaten regularly replacing the existing white rice in order to have a long-lasting result.

Malusog Rice can be eaten with other sources of beta carotene such as malunggay, carrots, squash, and other green and leafy vegetables-in other words, as part of a diversified and balanced-diet as illustrated in DOST-FNRI’s Pinggang Pinoy. Beta carotene present in these foods can only be converted into vitamin A as the body needs it so any excess will only be excreted safely.

Will Malusog Rice taste differently from regular rice? What is its texture?

Based on the result of the initial sensory evaluation, Malusog Rice is indistinguishable from its conventional background variety in terms of aroma, texture, and taste. Beta carotene is a nature-derived color additive; it affects the color, not the taste, of the foods it is added to. This is different from how colored rice dishes (such as paella and Java rice) don’t taste like regular white rice; that’s because of the ingredients used in preparing the dishes, and not the rice itself.

Should I eat Malusog Rice everyday to have sufficient vitamin A in the body?

It is better to eat Malusog Rice daily, as a substitute for ordinary rice, to have a continuous supply of vitamin A in the body. It is recommended to consume Malusog Rice regularly to make it effective. This means that in areas where the risk of vitamin A deficiency is high, households are recommended to replace the existing white rice with Malusog Rice to have a long lasting result.

Does rice bran from Malusog Rice, which can be used for animal feed, also contain beta carotene?

The beta carotene in Malusog Rice can be found in the endosperm part of the grain. The rice bran that was removed during polishing does not contain beta carotene.

What evidence do you have that Malusog Rice will be beneficial?

Based on computations made in consultation with nutrition experts, one cup of cooked Malusog Rice can provide 30-50% EAR of vitamin A for preschool children, and pregnant and lactating mothers. A simulated analysis study suggests that beta carotene-rich rice like Malusog Rice could improve vitamin A intake and could reduce the prevalence of VAD among women and children. Furthermore, an impact study will be conducted to further show Malusog Rice efficacy.

Who will benefit most from the nutritional benefits of Malusog Rice?

Malusog Rice is for all citizens who need extra nutrients, especially children aged five years and below as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers because they are the ones who have a higher chance of getting the VAD.

How much will Malusog Rice cost to consumers?

As Malusog Rice is developed for humanitarian purposes to help address malnutrition, especially VAD, it will be deployed through market-based and programmatic approaches (e.g. feeding program) in partnership with appropriate agencies. The project will lobby for policy support to make this beta carotene enriched rice available, accessible, and affordable to Filipinos, especially in areas where malnutrition is high.

What are the strategies to make sure that consumers and farmers will eat and plant Malusog Rice?

At each stage of the project, the Healthier Rice team has engaged with key stakeholders from our target communities. Talking to farmers, nutrition workers, local government officials, students, and other community leaders have helped us understand their concerns and assure us that we share similar aspirations of having safe, affordable, and nutritious food available to all Filipinos.

Will the beta carotene of Malusog Rice get reduced when stored for some time and as you cook it? How will you ensure its efficiency in providing enough vitamin A?

Because beta carotene has a natural tendency to degrade over time, the project team monitors beta carotene content at various stages of the project, from harvest to storage to cooking: estimating from 100 grams of milled Malusog Rice stored for two months in normal conditions, with 30% cooking losses in its calculations. Measurements at this stage show that there is sufficient beta carotene in Malusog Rice to meet the 30-50% EAR of vitamin A for young children and mothers or lactating women.

Will the color of Malusog Rice affect the rice wash as you rinse it before cooking?

No. Unlike other pigmented rice, the yellow color of Malusog Rice will not affect the rice wash as you rinse it. This is because the beta carotene, which gives the rice its yellow color, is found in the endosperm and not in the bran. The color of the rice wash will be just like ordinary rice.

REFERENCES:

Angeles-Agdepa et al., (2021). Illustrating the potential nutritional contribution of Golden Rice using the Pinggang Pinoy® Food Guide.

Biswas et al., (2021). Development and field evaluation of near-Isogenic lines of GR2-EBRRI dhan 29 Golden Rice.

Oliva et al., (2020). Molecular characterization and safety assessment of biofortified provitamin A rice.

Swamy et al., (2019). Compositional analysis of genetically engineered GR2E “Golden Rice” in comparison to that of conventional rice.

Swamy et al., (2021). Development and characterization of GR2E Golden rice introgression lines.

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.

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