Two billion people suffer from what is known as “hidden hunger,” or micronutrient malnutrition. They get enough macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) from their diet, but not enough micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that are essential to good health.

Hidden hunger can result in more frequent and severe illness and complications during pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, and childhood.

Many people in Asia rely heavily on rice for most or their entire calorie needs because they cannot afford or do not have access to a full range of nutritious food such as fruits, vegetables, and foods from animal sources (e.g., meat, dairy products, and eggs). As a result, lack of iron, zinc, and vitamin A has become prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in rice-consuming countries. The cost of these deficiencies in terms of lives and quality of life lost is enormous, and women and children are most at risk.

Because rice is the dominant cereal crop in most Asian countries and is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population (including many of those living in poverty), even a small increase in the micronutrient content of rice grains could have a significant impact on human health.

Healthier rice varieties have the potential to reach many people because rice is already widely grown and eaten. IRRI is developing rice varieties that have more iron, zinc, and beta carotene content to help people get more of these important micronutrients. These healthier rice varieties can complement current strategies to reduce micronutrient deficiencies.

See http://irri.org/our-impact/making-rice-healthier

Figure: Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene - a source of vitamin A. IRRI and its partners are developing Golden Rice as a potential new food-based approach to improve vitamin A status.