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Free Fortified Rice will be supplied under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes.
- Rice fortification involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (containing micronutrients like Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12) to normal Rice (Custom Milled Rice) as per standards prescribed by FSSAI.
- Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and minerals to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content and combat malnutrition.
About Fortified Rice Initiative
- Background: The initiative launched in 2022, and the three-phase rollout of this scheme was completed successfully by March 2024.
- Rationale:
- Combating malnutrition: Fortification is a cost-effective method for combating Anaemia and micronutrient malnutrition.
- Higher reach: Rice is an ideal vehicle for supplying micronutrients as it is a staple food for 65% of India’s population.
- Schemes covered:
- Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS),
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS),
- PM POSHAN (formerly the Mid-Day Meal scheme), and
- other welfare programs across all states and Union Territories.
- Funding: Central Sector Initiative with 100% funding by the Centre as part of the food subsidy component of PMGKAY.
- Under PMGKAY, free foodgrain is being provided (for 5 years) to 81.35 crore beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act 2013.
About Anaemia
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