With its health benefits clearer by the day, brown rice is set to become a fixture on the menu at all 10 hotels owned by the Pan Pacific Hotels Group in Singapore.
“Brown rice is a healthier alternative and more readily available than other kinds of rice,” said Timur Senturk, vice president of operations, Asean, Pan Pacific Hotels Group.
The decision was spurred by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) highlighting white rice as a cause of diabetes.
A previous report, based on a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, revealed that each plate of white rice eaten in a day on a regular basis increased a person’s risk of diabetes by 11 percent.
Despite knowing the risk, however, about four in five people still prefer white rice.
All dining outlets in the hotel chain will offer brown rice or a mix of brown and white rice as an option at no extra cost in any rice-based dish.
Healthier alternatives are also available at other hotels.
Capella Singapore said that while brown rice isn’t offered on menus, it has other healthy options.
“For example, for Mother’s Day this month, we introduced an antioxidant-themed brunch and super food-themed semi-buffet dinner at The Knolls restaurant,” said chef David Senia, director of culinary at Capella Singapore.
Nevertheless, the hotel is always open to requests for brown rice.
“If guests request (brown rice) at least two to three days in advance, we will try our best to accommodate them,” he said.
