On Tuesday, the administration said that there is sufficient data to support the health advantages of fortified rice and that it is now being supplied via ration stores in 439 districts and other social programmes.
In his Independence Day speech in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government wants to distribute fortified rice via government programmes by 2024.
In order to address the issue of anaemia in children and women, a plan for the gradual distribution of fortified rice containing the required micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) was initiated on October 2021.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said at a news conference that there is “global evidence” of the health advantages of fortified rice and that it is being used in many nations, including the USA.
Additionally, the initiative was introduced after extensive stakeholder engagements, according to the Minister of Women and Child Development and government think tank Niti Aayog.
Currently, the Public Distribution System (PDS), often known as ration stores, is on schedule to distribute fortified rice. He said, “So far, we have covered 439 districts.”
The system was launched based on solid international evidence, according to Singh, who has been given extra responsibility for the Department of Food and PDS, and “concurrent evaluation” of the initiative has been authorised for mid-course modification if necessary.
The cabinet had asked Niti Aayog to conduct a “concurrent evaluation” of the plan while it was being approved. To conduct a research, at least data on 20–25 months of fortified rice intake are needed.
More than 140 nations have required or permitted food fortification, according to Additional Secretary in the Department of Food Subodh Kumar, who said there is sufficient proof of the positive effects of fortified rice on health.
“Rice fortification is already being used in the US and six other nations. Pilots were conducted in India primarily to create an eco-system, he said.
Beneficiaries of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) were covered under Phase-I. According to Kumar, the distribution of fortified rice was expanded to PDS as part of the second phase in 291 high-burden and aspirational districts based on the success of the first phase.
He said that Phase-III, which started last month, seeks to cover PDS in all districts by March 2024. “It took time to set up an entire eco-system with proper infrastructure for smooth distribution of fortified rice in the country,” he said.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for 2019–21, anaemia affects 67% of children (ages 6–59 months), 57% of women (ages 15–49), and 25% of men (ages 15–49) in the nation.
Rice was selected since it is the main meal consumed by 65% of the nation's population. According to him, 34 lakh tonnes of rice are provided through ICDS, PM-POSHAN, and PDS, totaling over 350 lakh tonnes of rice.
The country's 156 lakh tonne monthly blending capability, which is enough to fulfil domestic demand, was also noted by the Additional Secretary. As of April 24, this year, the Food Corporation of India has 253 lakh tonnes of stock of fortified rice.
He said that several outreach initiatives and seminars are being held all throughout the nation to raise awareness of the advantages of fortified rice and its favourable effects on dietary security.
