Toexpand theuseof rice flour inBrazil
is the objective of a working group con-
sisting of representatives from different
entities of the rice supply chain. The idea
of the group is to create the conditions for
the product to be affordable to the Bra-
zilian population. “We want to map the
sector as a whole and create a technical
working plan in order to make the mar-
ket more viable, with all its potential”,
clarifies agronomic engineer and PhD in
FoodSciences Priscila ZaczukBassinello.
The researcher from Embrapa Rice and
Beans, understands that there is no use
for the government to encourage the use
of rice flour in school meals, for exam-
ple, if the lunch ladies do not know how
to use it correctly. “There are many ques-
tions involving this market. That is why,
we need to come up with improvements
and solutions”, she concludes.
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Articulation
Not all people intolerant to gluten suffer from celiac
disease, but all celiac sufferers are intolerant to gluten
gluten. Rice, for example, does not con-
tain this protein and therefore can be used
in the diet of celiac sufferers, provided it is
handled with caution in order to prevent
any cross contamination. “White rice is a
source of protein and energy, as it has car-
bohydrate in its major composition. Brown
rice contains fibers, minerals, vitamins and
anti-oxidants/’, she explains. With rice flour
it is possible tomake nutritive, and healthy
dishes that contain no gluten.
According to Priscila, rice flour is a hy-
poallergenic product and with a neutral
taste, and can be used in a series of reci-
pes. “Now, it easy to detect that demand
is on the rise, and the same holds true for
the sector, with lots of more products on
the supermarket shelves”, she ponders.
In order to find a way around the manip-
ulation difficulties, as rice flour differs
from wheat flour in bread preparations,
the agronomist has it that, day after day,
novelties arise in an attempt to imitate
the effect of gluten in pastas. The supply
chain is also engaged in offering prod-
ucts at more affordable prices, in line
with all social classes.
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