Designer Rice

News: Scientists at CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Kerala, have developed designer rice. 

About Designer Rice

• Designer rice is a type of “functional food,” intentionally modified to meet specific health and nutritional needs.
• Developed by:  This rice has been developed by CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
  • The technology has been transferred by CSIR-NIIST to Tata Consumer Products Limited for large-scale production.
• Aim: It aims to nourish millions and tackle malnutrition one plate at a time. 
• How it is created:  Scientists use food-processing technology in which broken rice is ground into flour, enriched with starch, protein, fibre and micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, and then reformed into grains that look, feel, and taste like regular rice.
• Difference between regular rice and designer rice: 
  • Regular white rice is mainly carbohydrates and has a higher glycemic index (GI), which can cause faster spikes in blood sugar.
  • Designer rice contains more protein and has a lower GI, making it more nutritionally balanced and helpful for managing blood sugar levels and improving satiety.
• Benefits of designer rice:
  • It has a low glycemic index (below 55), which means it releases energy slowly and helps prevent sudden blood sugar spikes, especially beneficial for diabetics.
  • It is rich in protein, containing over 20% protein compared to 6–8% in regular rice.
  • It helps combat anaemia as it is fortified with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 embedded directly into the grain.