Government's Decision on Fortified Rice Scheme
The government recently halted the scheme to distribute fortified rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS), which surprised rice kernel producers and civil society groups. The decision was informed by a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. This study highlighted that the micronutrient levels in Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) decline over time due to prolonged storage and routine handling.
Key Findings and Concerns
- Nutrient Loss:
Fortified rice, which includes nutrients like iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid to combat anemia, loses its efficacy due to storage issues in the central pool where rice is kept for over two to three years. - Expert Opinions:
Kavitha Kuruganti, from the Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), argued that the intervention is either ineffective or unsafe. She pointed out that not all anemia is due to iron deficiency, indicating fortification might not be a universal solution. - Environmental Impact:
Dr. HPS Sachdev noted that humidity and high temperatures, especially in coastal areas, could cause deterioration, akin to rusting in metals. This environment affects nutrient stability in fortified rice.
Rice Fortification Process
- Fortification involves creating a paste of micronutrients, such as iron and folic acid, which is molded into Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) that resemble rice grains.
- These FRKs are mixed with regular rice grains to enhance nutrient content.
Future Steps and Recommendations
- Process Suspension:
The government has suspended rice fortification until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is identified. - Alternative Nutrition Strategy:
Dr. Sachdev emphasized a diet rich in fresh, non-inflammatory foods, like fruits and vegetables, as a better nutrition strategy. He also noted existing iron supplementation programs as an alternative. - Challenges in Rice Fortification:
Matching the diverse rice varieties with FRKs without altering the consumer experience is challenging. There have been consumer concerns about visual and textural discrepancies, sometimes leading to the perception of "plastic rice."
