Rapid Fire
Fortified Rice
- 21 Oct 2024
- 2 min read
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under government schemes, including PMGKAY, from July 2024 to December 2028, aimed at combating micronutrient deficiencies in India.
- About Fortification: Fortification is the process of adding nutrients to food products that are not naturally present or are present in insufficient amounts.
- Rice fortification can be achieved by either coating grains with a micronutrient premix or by blending extruded rice kernels enriched with micronutrients with regular rice.
- Fortification aligns with WHO guidelines and is crucial as 65% of India's population consumes rice daily.
- India’s rice fortification program started in 2019 as a pilot program and scaled up in a 3 phased manner.
- Fortified rice has been distributed in states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra, with no reported adverse effects.
- PM-GKAY: PMGKAY aimed at providing each person who is covered under the National Food Security Act 2013 with an additional 5 kg grains (wheat or rice) for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Safety Assurance: Scientific evidence confirms that fortified rice is safe for individuals with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia.
- Labeling Update: The requirement for health advisories on fortified rice packaging has been removed after a review found no safety risks, aligning with global practices where organizations like WHO and the FDA do not mandate such advisories.
- Currently, 18 countries actively allow rice fortification.
Read more: Fortification of Rice
