At a glance
Summary
This product is a processed food due to the enrichment process, which adds vitamins and minerals to the rice. While it provides essential nutrients like niacin, iron, and folic acid, the processing level limits its score. The ingredient list is relatively clean, but the processing involved in enrichment prevents it from reaching the highest scores typical of whole, unprocessed grains.
Key ingredients 5
NiacinGood
Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.
Benefits
Supports energy metabolism and overall health. Helps in maintaining healthy skin and nerve function.
RiceNeutral
Rice is a staple carbohydrate source providing energy. It is minimally processed but lacks significant micronutrients compared to whole grains. Enrichment adds some vitamins and minerals back, but it remains less nutritious than whole grain alternatives.
Benefits
Provides a source of carbohydrates for energy. Enrichment adds some essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins.
IronNeutral
Iron is added to enriched rice to prevent deficiencies and support oxygen transport in the body. It is crucial for the production of hemoglobin and overall energy levels. The form used, ferric orthophosphate, is a common fortification agent.
Risks
Excessive iron intake can lead to toxicity, but this is unlikely from fortified foods alone.
Benefits
Essential for oxygen transport and energy production. Helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
ThiamineNeutral
Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is added to enriched rice to support carbohydrate metabolism. It is vital for nerve function and energy production. Enrichment helps restore thiamine levels lost during rice processing.
Benefits
Supports energy metabolism and nerve function. Helps prevent thiamine deficiency.
Folic AcidNeutral
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate added to enriched rice to support DNA synthesis and repair. It is particularly important for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects. Enrichment ensures adequate intake in populations consuming refined grains.
Risks
Excessive intake can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, but this is rare from fortified foods alone.
Benefits
Supports DNA synthesis and cell division. Essential for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy.
Processing
Processed Foods
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