Fact check: Is white rice bleached?

1. Summary of the results

The common belief that white rice is bleached is largely a misconception. White rice primarily gets its color through a mechanical milling process that removes the outer layers (husk, bran, and germ) of brown rice, revealing the naturally white endosperm underneath ^{[1] [2]}. While some white rice may be treated with chlorine dioxide to appear whiter, this is not a universal practice ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question overlooks several important aspects of rice processing:

• The whiteness is primarily achieved through mechanical milling and polishing, not chemical treatment ^[2]
• White rice is actually transformed brown rice - the same grain with outer layers removed ^[4]
• The process involves removing specific parts:
• The husk
• The bran
• The germ

These removals naturally result in the white appearance ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself reflects a common misconception about rice processing that needs addressing:

• The term "bleaching" is misleading as it implies chemical treatment ^[2]
• This misconception may benefit:
• Organic food companies who can market "unbleached" rice at premium prices
• Alternative health advocates who promote brown rice by suggesting white rice is chemically treated
• The reality is that while some chemical whitening does occur in the industry ^[3], it's not the standard practice, and the white appearance is primarily achieved through mechanical means ^[5]