Artificial Enrichment of White Rice as a Solution to Endemic Beriberi Report of Field Trials in Bataan, Philippines

Abstract

The substantially exclusive use of enriched rice by 63,000 people in Bataan since October 1, 1948, indicates, by clinical examinations of about 12,000 persons prior to and subsequent to inauguration of enrichment, a decline of 76 to 94% in the incidence of beriberi in each of 7 municipalities (weighted average, 89%). By contrast, in an adjacent control area (29,000 population) the incidence rose somewhat during the same period. Beriberi mortality has similarly declined from 263 per 100,000 in the experimental area in 1947–1948 to 28 per 100,000 in 1949–1950, the latter rate being only a small fraction of the lowest annual rate ever previously recorded for Bataan. Infantile beriberi mortality declined 53% in the experimental area during the year during which the introduction of enriched rice took place, although enrichment was in effect only during the last 9 months of that year. There is evidence, of a less conclusive character, of the favorable effect of enriched rice on mortality from all causes and specifically on mortality from tuberculosis. It is hoped to extend rice enrichment to 1,800,000 additional people by the end of 1951.