Developed out of the desire to prevent environmental pollution caused by rice rinsed water, BG musenmai ( rinse-free rice) was born in 1991 as the first rice in the world requiring absolutely no rinse before cooking.
BG musenmai(rinse-free rice) is a type of rice from which the rice bran—which is conventionally rinsed off before cooking the rice—is removed in the factory.
To produce conventional rice (polished rice), the germ and bran are removed from brown rice, but sticky fine bran still remains on the surface of the rice. With BG musenmai(rinse free rice), this fine bran is completely removed in the factory, so there is no need to rinse the rice before cooking.
In the first place, BG musenmai (rinse-free rice) is created using the only processing method in the world that neither use rinse water nor additives. This processing method not only provides musenmai(rinse-free rice), but also over the past 27 years has reduced various environmental pollutants—approx. 480,000 tons of CO2, approx. 120,000 tons of BOD; approx. 3,850,000 200-liter barrels of sludge deposits; approx. 100,000 200-liter barrels of oil; and approx. 4,000 tons of phosphorous and nitrogen respectively.
This feature is only BG musenmai(rinse-free rice) achieved, In recent years, society’s needs have been diversifying, and—as represented by the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and for which measures are starting to be implemented around the world— construction of a sustainable society from various aspects is urgently needed.producing BG musenmai(rinse-free rice), we realized the various characteristics unique to BG musenmai(rinse-free rice) could contribute enormously to the solution of these environmental problems.
Taking the opportunity presented by the “Musenmai Future Summit”, we wish to proclaim as follows that BG Musenmai(rinse-free rice) is the only “musenmai” capable of achieving these effects, and declare that with your cooperation, we will endeavor to expand usage of BG Musenmai(rinse-free rice), pouring effort into the realization of a sustainable society.
With only the bran cleanly removed from the rice, BG musenmai experiences little deterioration due to oxidation, and so it contributes to “improvement of storability”, “human health”, and “maintenance of good food taste”.
BG musenmai not only improves soil through our Kome-no-sei (“fine bran”) fertilizer that recycles the removed fine rice bran and contributes to the production of good-tasting produce, but also realizes recycling-orientated agriculture.
Comparing the characteristics of BG musenmai with the 17 SDGs, we can see that BG musenmai in fact contributes to the realization of nine goals (Goals 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17).
The diffusion of BG musenmai has reduced the amount of rice rinsing water polluting oceans and rivers, resulting in a decrease in the following environmental pollutants.
Compared with ordinary rice varieties, BG musenmai is characterized by a small amount of CO2 emission over its entire lifecycle.
Comparing the amount of CO2 emission per bowl of cooked rice, BG musenmai is able to reduce CO2 emission by approx. 4.6 g.*（※）
※Survey conducted by the Zenkoku Musenmai Kyokai (National Wash-free Rice Association) (published December 2009)
| Energy consumption (MJ) | CO2 emissions (kg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary rice | 0.816 | 0.078 |
| BG musenmai | 0.261 | 0.016 |
| Ordinary rice | BG musenmai | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bowl of cooked rice (75 g of rice) | 5.9g | 1.3g | 4.6g |
Using Kome-no-sei—recycled fine bran removed during the process— BG musenmai is able to not only contribute to the improvement of soil activity and consequently the production of delicious vegetable, but also realize recycling-orientated agriculture. Rice bran is a rich nutrient substance that pollutes oceans and rivers when rice rinsed water is poured down the drain. When the bran is returned to the soil, however, its rich nutrient substance causes an explosive increase in microorganisms, with the result that the soil becomes fertile, activating to the growth of agricultural produce and enabling the harvesting of delicious rice, vegetables, and fruits.
Reasons why the taste of rice declines include deterioration in quality due to the oxidation of bran left on the rice grains, as well as the outflow of flavor ingredients when the rice is rinsed and damage to the surface of the rice grains caused by friction. However, since with BG musenmai it is possible to remove the bran without damaging the surface of the rice grains, the freshly cooked rice is also more delicious than conventional rice. This phenomena has been proven scientifically through testing.
Experiential environment education promotion program Ikimono Mikke Farm (“Finding Animals Farm”
★Winner of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “Youth Experiential Activities Promotional Enterprise Award”
Judges’ Encouragement Award
By using Kome-no-sei, a byproduct of BG musenmai, as triggering explosives, it is possible to invigorate the soil in a short time and to cultivate soil that is rich with organisms and produces healthy and delicious foodstuffs. Using such agricultural land and rice paddies, program participants experience rice planting and observe living creatures in the fields or paddy fields. Through these and other activities, it is possible for children to experience nature in a manner that is easy to understand and gives them a sense of joy.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda) is a set of international development goals from 2016 to 2030, which was adopted by the UN Sustainable Development Summit held in September 2015 building on the success of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).The 2030 Agenda listed “Sustainable Development Goals” consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets in order to eradicate poverty and realize a sustainable world. The SDGs are universal goals applicable, not only to developing countries but also developed countries, and pledge “No One is Left Behind” through the implementation process.Japan welcomes the historic adoption of the 2030 Agenda as a country which has consistently contributed to the formulation and negotiations of the Agenda, and will make utmost efforts to implement it with international community based on the concept of human security.
Goal 2
NO POVERTY
2.1By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
2.2By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.
GOAL 3
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
3.4By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
3.9By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
GOAL 6
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
6.3By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.6By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
GOAL 7
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
7.3By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
GOAL 12
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
12.2By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.5By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
GOAL 13
CLIMATE ACTION
13.2Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
GOAL 14
LIFE BELOW WATER
14.1By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
GOAL 15
LIFE ON LAND
15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
GOAL 17
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
17.17Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships