CJ CheilJedang Supports Patients with Congenital Metabolic Disorders with 'Hetbahn Low-Protein Rice' for 15 Years

Reduced protein content to one-tenth since 2009
Provided at Phenylketonuria (PKU) family camps

CJ CheilJedang announced on the 14th that it sponsored Hetbahn low-protein rice products and donated 10 million KRW at the '21st Phenylketonuria (PKU) Family Camp' held over two days starting from the 13th in Danyang-gun, Chungbuk Province.

Participants are taking a commemorative photo at the Phenylketonuria (PKU) patient family camp.
[Photo by CJ CheilJedang]

PKU is a rare disease occurring in about one in 60,000 newborns. Those suffering from this disease are congenitally deficient in the enzyme that breaks down amino acids (proteins), so when they consume phenylalanine, a protein component, metabolic byproducts accumulate in the body, causing disabilities or, in severe cases, death. Therefore, they must maintain a lifelong diet free of phenylalanine, and even white rice is not allowed.

CJ CheilJedang has been supporting about 200 patients with rare diseases this year with Hetbahn low-protein rice. This product reduces the protein content to one-tenth that of regular Hetbahn for those with congenital metabolic disorders. After milling the rice, the protein breakdown process takes 24 hours, and due to this special manufacturing process, production takes more than ten times longer than regular Hetbahn (cooked rice).

CJ CheilJedang began research and development in March 2009 following a suggestion from an employee with a child suffering from this disease and established proprietary manufacturing technology and facilities to launch the product in October of the same year. So far, about 2.3 million Hetbahn low-protein rice products have been produced, appearing on patients' tables more than twice a day.

A CJ CheilJedang official stated, "Production of Hetbahn low-protein rice will continue for patients with congenital metabolic disorders who require protein restrictions," adding, "As a company with the best instant rice technology, we will carry out various social contribution activities that help the national diet with a sense of social responsibility and mission."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.