Reality of low-carb rice cookers

Recently, the growth of interest in health and weight loss have facilitated attention to "Low-carb diet," "low-sugar diet," and so on. In that context, rice cookers advertised to decrease carbohydrate content (hereafter called "low-carb rice cookers") have been sold in the market.

PIO-NET¹ received 250 inquiries and complaints related to low-carb rice cookers in about six years since fiscal 2017. Some of the consumers complained about quality and functions of the products (e.g. "I have used a low-carb rice cooker, but my blood glucose level has not decreased yet!").

According to product tests conducted in response to the request from local consumer affairs centers, the carbohydrate content of rice cooked with the low-carb rice mode was smaller than that of rice cooked with the normal rice mode, but the actual carb reduction rate was far less than the claimed rate.

Therefore, NCAC decided to examine the actual carb reduction rate of five low-carb rice cookers comparing to the claimed rates in order to share relevant information with consumers.

1. ¹ PIO-NET is a database that collects information on inquiries concerning consumer affairs by linking NCAC with local consumer affairs centers and similar organizations across Japan via an online network.

Findings

Advertising and labeling related to carbohydrate reduction

• Websites of all the five tested products mention the carb reduction rate. Of these, websites of four products show the maximum carb reduction rate only.
• Websites of the four products do not describe conditions for reaching the maximum carb reduction rate.

Rice cooking test

• In all the tested products, rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode" was felt softer than rice cooked with the "normal rice mode".
• In all the tested products, rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode" contained about 10 to 20 percent more moisture than rice cooked with the "normal rice mode".
• In all the tested products, the carb percentage of rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode" was smaller than that of rice cooked with the "normal rice mode". However, it appears that four out of the five products do not meet the carb reduction rate advertised, which can present a problem under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.
• If the amount of raw rice remains unchanged, rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode" was about 10 to 30 percent heavier than rice cooked with the "normal rice mode", but the difference in carbohydrate content was insignificant.

Advertisement on effects of eating rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode"

• Websites of all the five products include expressions which can be perceived that use of the product helps maintain and improve health. This can mislead consumers and can present a problem under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

Advice for consumers

• If the amount of raw rice remains unchanged, the difference in carbohydrate content between rice cooked with the "low-carb rice mode" and rice cooked with the "normal rice mode" is insignificant. When you use a low-carb rice cooker, be careful with the amount you eat.
• It is difficult for general consumers to check carbohydrate content of rice cooked with a low-carb rice cooker. Ask the manufacturer how to reach the carb reduction rate claimed.

Request to businesses

• Improve advertising and labeling for low-carb rice cookers (e.g. clear description of conditions for reaching the carb-reduction rate claimed).
• Websites of some manufacturers, etc. include expressions which can be perceived that use of the product helps maintain and improve health. This can present a problem under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Please modify the expressions.

Request to the government

• It appears that the actual carb reduction rate does not reach the maximum carb reduction rate advertised on websites of some products, which can be a problem under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Please give administrative guidance to businesses concerned.
• Websites of some manufacturers, etc. include expressions which can be perceived that use of the product helps maintain and improve health. This can present a problem under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Please give administrative guidance to businesses concerned.