Recently, scientists have genetically engineered "golden rice" that contains 1.6 ug ß-carotene in a gram of dry rice (12). Since the vitamin A equivalency varies from 2 ug (oil dose) to 27 ug (vegetable) carotene to 1 retinol equivalent and the equivalency is matrix dependent, it is necessary to know what the vitamin A equivalency of golden rice beta-carotene is. The determination of the absorption and conversion of golden rice beta-carotene is of importance for designing food programs in many rice-eating regions of the world, where vitamin A deficiency is common.