CJ CheilJedang is expanding its support for special foods for patients with congenital metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), to include adults.
On June 9, CJ CheilJedang announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea Rare & Intractable Diseases Association to establish a support system for purchasing special foods for rare disease patients.
The agreement aims to create a public-private partnership that ensures patients who require special diets throughout their lives can reliably access HaeBban low-protein rice even after reaching adulthood.
PKU is a rare disorder caused by a congenital deficiency of an enzyme that breaks down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. It occurs in approximately one in every 60,000 newborns, and without proper dietary management, it can lead to neurological and mental health issues. Patients must limit their intake of phenylalanine for life, making it difficult to consume regular rice.
Previously, patients under 19 years old could receive government support for special foods, but adults were excluded from this assistance, forcing them to purchase remaining supplies individually or rely on expensive foreign products.
Under the new agreement, patients aged 19 and older will be able to apply for special foods quarterly through an online portal called the 'Rare Disease Helpline.' This support system is set to begin operations on July 1.
HaeBban low-protein rice has a protein content reduced to one-tenth that of regular HaeBban rice. The production process, which removes the protein from the rice, takes over 24 hours, making the production time more than ten times longer and the manufacturing cost more than double that of standard products.
CJ CheilJedang began developing HaeBban low-protein rice in March 2009, following a suggestion from an employee with a child suffering from a congenital metabolic disorder. After investing 800 million won and conducting seven months of research, the company established its own technology and manufacturing facilities, launching the product in October of the same year. Despite its low profitability, production has continued as part of the company's social contribution efforts for rare disease patients. To date, the cumulative production has reached approximately 2.9 million units.
Kim Chan-ho, head of CJ CheilJedang's Strategic Support Division, stated, "This agreement lays the foundation for a stable supply of HaeBban low-protein rice to patients over 19 years old. We will continue to do our best to ensure smooth production and supply."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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