Fortification of Rice

2020 NOV 5

Preliminary   > Science and Technology   >   Biotechnology   >   Nutrition

Why in news?

  • To initiate the process of taking the country towards nutritional security, Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) has been running a “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System”.

What is fortification?

  • Fortification is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of an essential micronutrient, i.e. vitamins and minerals (including trace elements) in a food, so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.

About Rice fortification:

  • Rice can be fortified by adding a micronutrient powder to the rice that adheres to the grains or spraying of the surface of ordinary rice grains in several layers with a vitamin and mineral mix to form a protective coating.
  • Fortifying rice makes it more nutritious by adding vitamins and minerals in the post - harvest phase.
  • Rice can also be extruded and shaped into partially precooked grain-like structures resembling rice grains, which can then be blended with natural polished rice.
  • Rice kernels can be fortified with several micronutrients, such as iron, folic acid and other B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.
  • Rice fortification is a cost effective, culturally appropriate strategy to address micronutrient deficiency in countries with high per capita rice consumption, like India.

Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice

  • Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) has been running a “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System”.
  • The Pilot Scheme has been approved for a period of three years beginning 2019-2020 with a total budget outlay of Rs.174.6 Crore.
  • Fifteen State Governments have identified their respective districts (1 district per state) for implementing the Pilot Scheme.
  • Already 5 states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh have started the distribution of fortified rice in their respective identified districts.
  • FCI has been asked to come up with a comprehensive plan for procurement and distribution of fortified rice in all the Districts of the country under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) &?Mid-Day?Meal (MDM) Scheme from 2021-2022 along with 112 specially identified Aspirational Districts of the country.
  • For realising the above goal, there is a need to scale up supply of Fortified Rice Kernels?(FRK), whose availability is currently is at a meagre quantity of 15,000 MT per annum.
  • Further, there are nearly 28,000 Rice Mills in the country which need to be equipped with Blending Machines etc. for mixing of FRK with?normal rice.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements: 
1.Food fortification can be done only on cereals and salt.
2.Fortification of Salt with iodine is mandatory in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question

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