Agricultural products processing Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture takes positive measures to promote excessive grain

After the "Circular of the Ministry of Agriculture on strengthening Grain processing impairment work" was issued, it aroused great concern in the society. People's Daily, Xinhuanet, Central Government Network and other online media reprinted the "Ministry of Agriculture deployment to strengthen grain processing impairment work" information, and the special edition of print media such as the Farmers' Daily published the report that the Ministry of Agriculture issued a "ban" on grain over-processing. Wang Ruiyuan, executive vice president of the China Society of Grain and Oils, believes that grain and oil processing unilaterally pursues the over-refined, over-fine, over-white and over-refined grain and oil products, resulting in a large number of nutrients, reduced production rate and substantial increase in energy consumption. Some experts suggest that grain and oil processing should develop in the direction of "improving purity, controlling precision and moderate processing". Most experts believe that measures should be taken as soon as possible to solve the problem of excessive processing and waste of grain, so as to ensure the safe and effective supply of food in our country.

It is understood that at present, China's grain over-processing is mainly to pursue the "fine white" and good appearance and good taste of the products. Multi-stage separation of wheat flour and repeated polishing of rice processing inevitably lead to the decrease of yield and the loss of dietary fiber, active substances, trace elements and other nutrients.

First, it has caused a large loss of grain. The standard flour yield of wheat set by the State is 85%, while some processing enterprises continue to improve the milling accuracy in order to pursue bright pink, resulting in a wheat flour yield of less than 70%, resulting in a 15% waste. Rice yield 70%, but some processing enterprises in order to improve whiteness and brightness, through "multi-machine whitening" and "polishing" and other processes for fine grinding, the rice yield is only 60%, the lowest is only 50%. According to the statistics of the China Grain Industry Association, about 20 per cent of wheat and rice are processed into refined noodles and rice every year, resulting in a grain loss of about 15 billion jin.

Second, it has caused a massive loss of nutrients. Most of the nutrients in rice are concentrated in embryo and cortex, such as protein, fat, sugar, minerals, B vitamins, cellulose and so on. After three times of polishing, all the germ layer and cortex fell off, only the endosperm was left in the whole grain, and the main nutrients were lost, and the same situation also existed in the overprocessing of flour. Long-term consumption of this high-precision rice, white noodles, easy to suffer from beriberi, neurological diseases, have a negative impact on health.

Third, it has caused a lot of waste of energy. The production of 1 ton of rice consumes 50-70 kilowatt hours of electricity. Adding one more polishing process requires not only expanding the plant, adding equipment and increasing labor consumption, but also consuming an additional 15 kilowatt hours of electricity. China produced 118 million tons of rice in 2013. if enterprises reduce one polishing treatment, they can save 1.77 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is equivalent to the one-week power generation of the three Gorges power station.

In view of the current situation and expert suggestions on the waste of grain processing in China, the Agricultural products processing Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture requires the administrative departments of the agricultural products processing industry at all levels to conscientiously implement the requirements of the "Circular of the Ministry of Agriculture on strengthening Grain processing impairment work," and strengthen organization and leadership. We should have an in-depth understanding of the situation, find out the existing problems, and take positive measures to promote all kinds of work in a down-to-earth manner.

First, we should further strengthen public opinion and propaganda. Give full play to the role of the media and increase the publicity and coverage of scientific consumption concepts. Organize relevant experts and scholars to carry out the popularization and publicity of scientific consumption, healthy eating and other knowledge, and guide the public to establish a correct concept of consumption. Promote a number of whole wheat, germ rice, brown rice and other nutritional products and production enterprises, and constantly expand the market influence of nutritious and healthy food.

The second is to further promote technological innovation. We will step up efforts to develop, demonstrate and promote new technologies, new processes, new equipment, and new products, such as saving energy and reducing emissions, and gradually eliminate backward production capacity such as high grain consumption, high energy consumption, and high pollution. To organize and carry out research on the technology of moderate grain processing and comprehensive utilization of by-products, and constantly improve the yield of grain products and the comprehensive utilization rate of by-products.

The third is to further strengthen policy support. We will actively strive for tax, financial and other support policies, and support grain and oil processing enterprises in developing whole wheat products, brown rice and other healthy foods. Revise and improve the current grain and oil processing standard system as soon as possible, standardize the precision range of rice, flour and oil processing, and guide enterprises to produce according to the standard.