Rice fortification

Syllabus: Food and Nutrition

Source:  IE

Context: The Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes providing free food grain under the National Food Security Act, 2021, in its present form, until December 2028.

What is rice fortification, and why is it needed?

• Definition: Rice fortification involves adding essential micronutrients to rice to improve its nutritional quality, providing public health benefits with minimal risk to health.
• Need: India has high levels of malnutrition, with widespread anaemia affecting children, women, and men. Malnutrition results in stunted growth and low productivity, which fortification can help address.
• Health benefits: Fortified rice supplements diets with vital nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, addressing the widespread nutritional gaps in the population.
• Staple diet: Since rice is a staple food consumed by nearly two-thirds of India’s population, fortifying it can significantly impact public health.

Process of rice fortification

• Technologies used: Methods like coating, dusting, and extrusion are used to add micronutrients to rice, with extrusion being the most suitable for India.
• Extrusion process: Dry rice flour is mixed with micronutrient premix and water, then passed through an extruder machine to produce fortified rice kernels (FRKs).
• Blending: These kernels are blended with regular rice at a ratio of 10 g FRK to 1 kg of regular rice.
• Shelf life: Fortified rice kernels have a shelf life of at least 12 months, ensuring long-term storage and distribution without losing nutritional value.

FSSAI norms and nutrients involved:

• Iron: Each kilogram of fortified rice contains 28 mg-42.5 mg of iron to combat iron-deficiency anaemia.
• Folic acid: Contains 75-125 micrograms of folic acid, essential for preventing birth defects and boosting immunity.
• Vitamin B-12: Includes 0.75-1.25 micrograms of vitamin B-12 to improve energy levels and prevent nerve damage.
• Additional nutrients: Fortified rice may also include zinc, vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, and B6 to enhance overall health.

Initiatives so far:

• Phase 1 (2022): Fortified rice was initially distributed through Integrated Child Development Services and PM POSHAN schemes.
• Phase 2 (2023): Extended to the Public Distribution System (PDS) in 112 Aspirational Districts and 291 high stunting burden districts.
• Phase 3 (2024): Universal coverage achieved, with fortified rice distributed in all districts under various government schemes.
• Production capacity: India has 925 fortified rice manufacturers with a capacity to produce 111 LMT of fortified rice annually.

Limitations:

• Cost: The annual cost of rice fortification is around Rs 2,700 crore, which may strain budget allocations.
• Quality control: Inconsistent quality of fortified rice due to the varying standards of rice mills and manufacturers.
• Awareness: Lack of awareness among the population about the benefits of fortified rice reduces its acceptance.
• Distribution challenges: Ensuring uniform distribution of fortified rice to remote and underprivileged areas remains a logistical challenge.

Way ahead:

• Increase awareness: Educate the public about the health benefits of fortified rice to improve its acceptance and demand.
• Enhance quality standards: Establish stringent quality control measures to ensure consistent nutrient levels in fortified rice.
• Expand infrastructure: Strengthen infrastructure at rice mills to improve blending and distribution capabilities.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Implement robust monitoring systems to assess the impact of rice fortification on public health regularly.

Insta Links:

PYQ: