India, home to 195 million undernourished people, is turning to an old friend—rice—in a new avatar: fortified rice. This simple innovation could become the cornerstone in India’s battle against hidden hunger.

 

What is Fortified Rice?

Fortified rice is regular rice infused with micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. The process involves coating or extruding these nutrients onto rice kernels, which are then blended (usually at a 1:100 ratio) with normal rice.

 

Government Intervention

Under the Poshan Abhiyaan and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the Government of India has launched a massive fortified rice distribution program through Public Distribution Systems (PDS), mid-day meals, and anganwadis. By 2024, all rice distributed through government channels is to be fortified.

 

Why It Matters

 

Iron deficiency anemia affects 50% of Indian women.

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological disorders in children.

 

Fortified rice provides a cost-effective, scalable solution.

 

Challenges

Awareness and taste acceptance remain issues. However, pilot programs in states like Gujarat and Chhattisgarh show promising results in reducing anemia rates.

 

Conclusion: Fortified rice isn’t just enriched food—it’s a national nutrition strategy. For a rice-loving country, it’s a step toward health equity.

Ref: 

Sources :

1. Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC), FSSAI – Fortified rice programs in India.

o https://ffrc.fssai.gov.in

2. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India – National fortification rollout plans.

o https://consumeraffairs.nic.in

3. World Food Programme (WFP) India reports on fortification.

o https://www.wfp.org/countries/india

4. NITI Aayog and UNICEF reports – Data on malnutrition and anemia in India.