Diabetic patients got a respite in Maharashtra and Gujarat when Pranav Agro industries launched its Smart Balance rice, low glycemic index health rice, on Tuesday.
The rice is beneficial for persons suffering from diabetes and obesity. At the launching ceremony, Pravin S Lunkad, chairman of the Pranav Group, said this is the first product from the company's health food division.
He said the Smart Balance Moolgiri rice is grown in the Raichur-Gangawati belt in Karnataka and has a glycemic index ranging between 60 and 65.
This was processed under the specially patented hydrothermal process and the GI is brought down to 42-48. Lunkad said it has a processing capacity of 30 tonnes a day.
He noted that consumption of this rice would help in weight management, diabetes management, improve blood cholesterol level and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
The Smart Balance rice has been tested at GI Labs in Toronto, Canada, and certified as low GI rice with the symbol programme of the University of Sydney Australia.
Priced at Rs 65 per kg, it would be available in Maharashtra and Gujarat to begin with, in one and 2.5 kg packs. Lunkad said it would be initially available with select retailers and malls in Pune, and would be launched in Mumbai, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Nasik and Aurangabad.
He said, by next fiscal, it is targeting sales of 200 tonnes a month in Maharashtra and Gujarat. He added that it would also be coming out with a blend of oils with low GI as also honey and peanut butter.
