Golden Rice gets biosafety approval as food, feed

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announced the FFP approval on Wednesday, citing that the Golden Rice “has been found to be as safe as conventional rice” after rigorous biosafety assessment. (File Photo: Golden Rice Project/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry has granted a biosafety permit for the direct use of the vitamin A-enriched rice variety, Golden Rice, as food and feed or for processing (FFP).

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announced the FFP approval on Wednesday, citing that the Golden Rice “has been found to be as safe as conventional rice” after rigorous biosafety assessment.

PhilRice executive director Dr. John de Leon welcomed the regulatory decision as the rice variety could be seen as a complementary intervention to address the health problems associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD).

“With this FFP approval, we bring forward a very accessible solution to our country’s problem on Vitamin A deficiency that’s affecting many of our pre-school children and pregnant women,” de Leon said.

Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta-carotene (provitamin A), which is converted into vitamin A as needed by the body and gives the grain its golden color. It is developed through genetic engineering and produces two new enzymes that complete the beta-carotene expression in the rice grain.

IRRI Director General Matthew Morrel said the beta-carotene content of Golden Rice aims to provide 30 to 50 percent of the estimated average requirement (EAR) of vitamin A for pregnant women and young children.

“IRRI is pleased to partner with PhilRice to develop this nutrition-sensitive agricultural solution to address hidden hunger. This is the core of IRRI’s purpose: to tailor global solutions to local needs,” Morrel said.

“The Philippines has long recognized the potential to harness biotechnology to help address food and nutrition security, environmental safety, as well as improve the livelihoods of farmers,” Morrel added.

To complete the Philippine biosafety regulatory process, Golden Rice will require approval for commercial propagation before it can be made available to the public.