Why is it in the news?

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of free fortified rice supply under various welfare programs from July 2024 to December 2028.
• This initiative will be fully funded by the Centre to promote inclusive nutritional security and combat anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies.

More about the news

• Fortified rice will be distributed through programs such as the Targeted Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Services, and PM POSHAN across all states and Union Territories.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had initially decided to implement this initiative in phases by March 2024, and all phases have now been successfully completed.
• The National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) indicated that anaemia is a widespread issue affecting various demographic groups, alongside deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like B12 and folic acid, which impact overall health and productivity.
• The government highlighted that rice serves as an ideal vehicle for delivering micronutrients, as it is a staple food for 65% of the population.

Fortified Rice

About:

• Fortified rice is rice that has been enriched with essential micronutrients to improve its nutritional quality and address deficiencies.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines fortification as the deliberate increase of micronutrient content in food for public health benefits.

The Need for Fortification:

• India faces severe malnutrition challenges, with every second woman and every third child affected by anaemia or stunting.
• The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) highlights the widespread issue of micronutrient deficiencies across various demographics.
• Given that rice is a staple consumed by about two-thirds of the population, fortifying it offers an effective way to enhance dietary intake among vulnerable groups.

The Fortification Process:

• Rice can be fortified using various methods, such as coating and extrusion. The extrusion method, considered most effective in India, involves mixing dry rice flour with micronutrients and processing it through an extruder to create fortified rice kernels (FRKs) that resemble regular rice.
• The guidelines stipulate blending 10 grams of FRK with one kilogram of regular rice, ensuring each kilogram contains specific amounts of iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, among other nutrients.
• Fortified rice is cooked and consumed in the same manner as regular rice. It retains its nutritional properties post-cooking and is packaged with labels indicating its fortified status.