QC Councilor Ramon Medalla wants brown rice in fast-food menus

A measure seeking to encourage fast-food chains and restaurants in Quezon City to offer brown rice in their menus is up for approval by the city council.

The proposed resolution was approved on second reading during Monday’s regular session after it passed the scrutiny of the committees on laws, rules and internal government; health and sanitation; and trade, commerce and industry. It has to be confirmed by the council on third and final reading before it becomes official.

Councilor Ramon Medalla of the second district, the proponent of the measure, maintained that being a healthier option compared to the generally preferred white variety, brown rice should be offered as an option to city dwellers, particularly those who patronize restaurants and fast food joints.

Brown rice is produced when only the outermost layer of palay or the rice husk is removed in the milling process unlike the white variety where the next layers, the bran and germ, are removed and along with these, vitamins and dietary minerals.

In seeking the support of his peers, Medalla said that a recipe book launched in July by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute titled “Lutong FNRI-Brown Rice Recipes para sa Lahing Kayumanggi” discussed the nutritional benefits of brown rice.

It also featured 23 traditional and contemporary brown rice recipes, including fried rice, rice toppings, snacks and desserts that could be made available in restaurant menus. Jeannette I. Andrade