Brownie Points for Brown Rice

In a ruling in May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that brown rice, a 100% whole grain, is one of a growing list of foods permitted to bear a label claiming health benefits. Although brown rice is already accepted as a good source of dietary fiber, the new FDA position further acknowledges that brown rice is a whole-grain food that can help lower the risk of specific life-threatening diseases.

Labels for brown rice can now read as follows: “Diets rich in whole-grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.” For more information on the FDA ruling, go to www.cfsan.fda.gov/lrd/fr080501.html.