Riviana Claims Success Brown Rice Is Not Genetically Modified

Right. Success Brown Rice has been my staff-of-life food for many years. Suddenly it's started making me sick in the way wheat does. Other rice products, including store-brand products similar to Success Brown Rice, started to affect me this way last year. I've been credibly informed that there are two reasons why this is even possible: (1) rice has been genetically modified to resemble wheat (by splicing in DNA from E. coli, which can also cause this rice to affect some gluten-tolerant people in the way E. coli does, which differs from the way wheat affects me mainly in the amount of blood found in the toilet); or (2) rice has been sprayed with glyphosate to protect it from insect damage. (Apparently glyphosate itself may affect some people in some of the ways wheat affects gluten-intolerant people.) Which is it?

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In light of all the attention that has been given recently to genetically modified ingredients, we understand your need to better understand the relationship between the foods that you eat and genetic modification.

Agricultural science has been modifying the genes of staple foods to maximize their desirable characteristics for many years, and the benefits have been abundant. Although over time the approach to the way the genes are modified may differ slightly, their common goals have been to produce crops that are more tolerant to adverse weather, more resistant to pests, and more nutritious.

There is increasing concern among consumers about the role and impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the environment and the food supply. The United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration regulate the safety system for food biotechnology. Collectively, these agencies provide strong, active oversight and help ensure that consumers are protected. We go to great lengths to ensure that our raw materials are safe and wholesome. All of the ingredients used in our products not only meet U.S. Government standards, but meet our own stringent quality standards as well.

At this time there is no known commercial production of genetically modified rice in the United States. Test methods are available for long grain and medium grain but the limit of detection is 0.01% with a 95% confidence level. With that in mind, Riviana is going through the verification process to participate in the Non-GMO project. We will continue to monitor developments in this area to ensure that the quality and safety of our products remains above reproach.

We truly appreciate you sharing your concerns, as your feedback is important to us. Thank you for your continued patronage.

Sincerely,
[Riviana employee] Consumer Relations

002031792A

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