We don't much love cauliflower rice, either but is that any reason to ban it?
Well, as it turns out, Arkansas' reason behind banning the oft-maligned rice substitute has to do with its own economy.
The health benefits of cauliflower rice versus regular rice are what might attract some people to the grain substitute, but Arkansas' state legislature says the damage it is doing to its economy is worse than any health benefit.
According to Vice's Munchies, "over 40 percent of American rice is grown in Arkansas, where the rice industry makes up about 20,000 jobs and creates $1.3 billion for the state's economy per year."
Unbelievably believable https://t.co/3BmdR6VoGB— Ian Lind, MS CN (@Ian Lind, MS CN)1553737199.0
WHAT!? Arkansas says no more cauliflower “rice” https://t.co/rvdVOHD0Pv via @chasepurdy— Deena Shanker (@Deena Shanker)1553896446.0
Is cauliflower rice "a bit malicious and maybe nefarious?" https://t.co/6lo6C7alCS— reason (@reason)1553970600.0
The state legislature seeks to define what can be labeled as "rice."
According to the definition proposed in the anti-cauliflower rice bill, "rice" can only mean "the whole, broken, or ground kernels" from the grain species Oryza sativa L. or Oryza glaberrima, or from one of the four grass species in the Zizania or Porteresia genus (aka, wild rice).
If something outside of these specifications is labeled "rice," a fine could be levied by the state.
Arkansas just banned the use of the term “cauliflower rice.” Our state legislature feels that it is a serious enoug… https://t.co/gusfwJwK5A— raydyn 🌻 (@raydyn 🌻)1553889200.0
Politicians can be bought off dirt cheap. Remember folks, most mainstream anything is not about a healthier you, it… https://t.co/ojLNSkrVSj— ☩ Թҽꁅꁅꌩ ☩ (@☩ Թҽꁅꁅꌩ ☩)1553956330.0
The Carolene Products of our time —> Arkansas Passes Bill to Prevent Sale of 'Cauliflower Rice' https://t.co/oWwZJey38M— Anthony Michael Kreis (@Anthony Michael Kreis)1553721469.0
Yup, you read that right! How do you feel about changing the way meat, dairy, and now rice alternatives are labeled… https://t.co/VSF7FK3Ir7— Cooking Light (@Cooking Light)1553658663.0
One wonders when the legislature will get around to protecting the public from the scourge of pineapples—which shoc… https://t.co/xocQZOwfiN— reason (@reason)1553873402.0
"This law only affects people who want to deceive the public about how their food originated," State Rep. David Hillman (R-Almyra) said.
"And if you're not trying to deceive the public, this will not affect you or any of the outlets who sell these products."
However, most think this law constitutes a violation of the first amendment and seems to have subtle corporate agenda behind it."It's bad public policy," said Jessica Almy, director of the Good Food Institute to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, a "Washington, D.C., nonprofit in support of foods known as cell-based and plant-based meats."
She says as with almond milk, "people clearly understand it comes from almonds" because it's called almond. Milk. Not milk."
“Vegetables that have gone through a ricer are still vegetables, just in a different form.” https://t.co/v74zW43FJt— MUNCHIES (@MUNCHIES)1553719202.0
Riced cauliflower is good stuff. I’ve never once confused it for rice though. If you need extra government on your… https://t.co/lNHcutOOqc— Chad Simmons (@Chad Simmons)1553984883.0
This headline is misleading....Change the name of cauliflower rice for rice sake, but don't mislead the public into… https://t.co/5eFCHnoOZd— Marie Frank (@Marie Frank)1553980044.0
Arkansas passed a law that companies can’t call cauliflower rice “cauliflower rice” cuz too many people are confuse… https://t.co/XgNJS9SwIl— snootle toot (@snootle toot)1553893324.0
Arkansas gov just signed HB1407, the important bill that now prohibits the use of the term “rice” on agricultural g… https://t.co/baDAbwCLJZ— Kate Bratskeir (@Kate Bratskeir)1553808678.0
So now Arkansas is saying cauliflower rice can't be called rice. These laws are getting more ridiculous by the day,… https://t.co/LdPa59o2YU— Jarrett Dieterle (@Jarrett Dieterle)1553729693.0
Arkansas: 1 in 5 roadways are in poor condition, median household income is below nat'l average & poverty rate is c… https://t.co/bRGJjNgVxZ— Andrew Noyes (@Andrew Noyes)1553897823.0
The fine levied for a "mislabel" is $1,000.
Arkansas lawmakers nobly protect citizens from unknowingly eating tiny bits of cauliflower. https://t.co/7xYDu9Wpui— Radley Balko (@Radley Balko)1553723605.0
The Government has Saved us all Again https://t.co/QnnEEvWCni— Manatee Max (@Manatee Max)1553922692.0
So go elsewhere with your bags of cauliflower rice.
Begone!