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    J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Oct;109(10):1738-43.

    White rice sold in Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan often lacks nutrient enrichment.

    Leon Guerrero RT, Gebhardt SE, Holden J, Kretsch MJ, Todd K, Novotny R, Murphy SP.

    College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam. rachaeltlg@uguam.uog.edu

    Rice is a commonly consumed food staple for many Asian and Pacific cultures thus, nutrient enrichment of rice has the potential to increase nutrient intakes for these populations. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of enrichment nutrients (ie, thiamin, niacin, iron, and folic acid) in white rice found in Guam, Saipan (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), and Oahu (Hawaii). The proportion of white rice that was labeled "enriched" varied by type, bag size, and location. Most long-grain rice was labeled as enriched and most medium-grain rice was not. Bags of either type weighing >10 lb were seldom labeled as enriched in Hawaii or Saipan. Samples of various types of rice were collected on these three islands (n=19; 12 of which were labeled as enriched) and analyzed for their content of enrichment nutrients. Rice that was labeled as enriched in Hawaii and Guam seldom met the minimum enrichment standards for the United States. For comparison, three samples of enriched rice from California were also analyzed, and all met the enrichment standards. Food and nutrition professionals who are planning or evaluating diets of these Pacific island populations cannot assume that rice is enriched.

    PMID: 19782173 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    PMCID: PMC2761840 [Available on 2010/10/1]

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    • Folic Acid (Folvite®)

      Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folic acid deficiency. It is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin causes certain types of anemia (low red blood cell c...

    • Thiamine

      Thiamine is a vitamin used by the body to break down sugars in the diet. The medication helps correct nerve and heart problems that occur when a person's diet does not contain enough thiamine.

    • Niacin (Advicor®, Niacor®, Niaspan®)

      Niacin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Niacin is also used to prevent and treat pellagra (niacin defic...