Name of the Scheme – Fortification of rice and its distribution under Public Distribution System
Department – Food and Civil Supplies
Scheme for : Individual
Where to Apply : NA
When to Apply : NA
Distribution of the fortified rice through PDS and Milling
For the prevention of the high volume of the Anaemia in the country and the state, the central government has decided to distribute the fortified rice, prepared by mixing the FRK (Fortified Rice Kernel – FRK) (made from rice flour and which contains the high volume of the micronutrients such as Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12) in the CMR in the proportion of 1 (FRK):100 (CMR), through the public distribution system. Accordingly, the Central Government vide its letter dated 18th April, 2022 has approved the distribution of fortified rice to the beneficiaries under ICDS/PM POSHAN (MDM)/PDS in the following three phases with the 100% aid from the Central Government.
- Phase I (April, 2021 to March, 2022) : ICDS / MDM (now PM POSHAN)
- Phase II (April, 2022 to March 2023) : ICDS / MDM (PM POSHAN) / PDS in 4-Aspirational / 13-High Burden Districts in the State.
- Phase III (April, 2023 to March, 2024) : ICDS / MDM (PM POSHAN) / PDS /Other Scheme (Whole country)
- Out of the phases mentioned above, fortified rice to the beneficiaries of the ICDS and MDM scheme is being distributed by the department of Women and Child Development and the School Education.
- The government approved the distribution of the fortified rice under the second and the third phase of fortified rice vide the GR dated 17.10.2022.
- At present the fortified rice is being distributed in the state under the third phase.
Beneficiary:
Citizen eligible under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme & Priority House Hold (PHH) scheme.
Benefits:
To distribute the Fortified Rice enhanced with the micronutrients like iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 so as to get the solution to the widespread anemia problem in the country and state.
Concept :
- The distribution of fortified rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is an ongoing initiative by the government to address the issue of malnutrition among the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
- Fortified rice with essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and Vitamin A, is being distributed through the PDS in several states in India.
- The distribution of fortified rice through the PDS is being implemented in a phased manner across the country. The government has set a target to distribute fortified rice through the PDS to all states and Union Territories by 2024.
- A total of 269 districts in 27 states have started distributing fortified rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), achieving a 100% target set for Phase II by March 2023 in the Rice Fortification Programme.
- The distribution of fortified rice through the PDS is expected to have a significant impact on reducing malnutrition and improving the health and well-being of the poor and vulnerable sections of society, especially women and children.
Rice fortification
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines fortification as “deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in a food so as to improve the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefit with minimal risk to health”.
The cooking of fortified rice does not require any special procedure. After cooking, fortified rice retains the same physical properties and micronutrient levels as it had before cooking. Fortified rice will be packed in jute bags with the logo (‘+F’) and the line “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12”.
Various technologies are available to add micronutrients to regular rice, such as coating, dusting, and ‘extrusion’.The Extrusion technique involves the production of fortified rice kernels (FRKs) from a mixture using an ‘extruder’ machine. t is considered to be the best technology for India. The fortified rice kernels are blended with regular rice to produce fortified rice.
Need of rice fortification
India has very high levels of malnutrition among women and children. According to the Food Ministry, every second woman in the country is anaemic and every third child is stunted. Fortification of food is considered to be one of the most suitable methods to combat malnutrition. Rice is one of India’s staple foods, consumed by about two-thirds of the population. Per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month. Therefore, fortifying rice with micronutrients is an option to supplement the diet of the poor.
What are the standards for fortification?
Under the Ministry’s guidelines, 10 g of FRK must be blended with 1 kg of regular rice.According to FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice will contain the following: iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 microgram), and vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).
Rice may also be fortified with zinc (10 mg-15 mg), vitamin A (500-750 microgram RE), vitamin B-1 (1 mg-1.5 mg), vitamin B-2 (1.25 mg-1.75 mg), vitamin B-3 (12.5 mg-20 mg) and vitamin B-6 (1.5 mg-2.5 mg) per kg.
Advantages
Fortified staple foods will contain natural or near-natural levels of micro-nutrients, which may not necessarily be the case with supplements. It provides nutrition without any change in the characteristics of food or the course of our meals.
If consumed on a regular and frequent basis, fortified foods will maintain body stores of nutrients more efficiently and more effectively than will intermittently supplement. The overall costs of fortification are extremely low; the price increase is approximately 1 to 2 percent of the total food value. It upholds everyone’s right to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger
Issues with fortified food
Fortification and enrichment upset nature’s packaging. Our body does not absorb individual nutrients added to processed foods as efficiently compared to nutrients naturally occurring. Supplements added to foods are less bioavailable. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient your body is able to absorb and use. They lack immune-boosting substances. Fortified foods and supplements can pose specific risks for people who are taking prescription medications, including decreased absorption of other micro-nutrients, treatment failure, and increased mortality risk.
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