Yesterday's report on white rice being more potent than sweet soda drinks in causing diabetes is shocking, considering we eat white rice in almost every meal ("Diabetes: The rice you eat is worse than sugary drinks").

Besides making brown rice more affordable, so that everyone can start making a slight shift in our rice intake, the authorities can take the lead in helping to make brown rice a key part of our diet.

Schools, hospitals, step-down care centres, camps and even childcare centres which provide meals can explore offering brown or mixed rice, instead of just white rice. Office canteens and food centres can offer mixed rice at no extra charge.

More public education on the benefits of brown or mixed rice should also be conducted.

Lim Lih Mei (Ms)