Fortified Rice Meaning, Introduction, Need, Cause & Concern

Fortified Rice

Fortified Rice: The Union Government has published a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the efficient execution of its distribution program for rice fortification. Days after a fact-finding committee claimed that the fortified rice being supplied in Jharkhand was negatively affecting the area’s tribal inhabitants, the SOP was made public. In order to combat anaemia, the Union Government began a trial program in 2019 that involved the distribution of fortified rice for three years through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The Union Cabinet approved the distribution of enriched rice under several government programs last month in an effort to combat widespread malnutrition, anaemia, and vitamin deficiencies.

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Fortified Rice Meaning

During the rice fortification process, essential vitamins and minerals are added to the grain, enhancing its nutritious value. Essential components like vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B1, iron, zinc, and folic acid are added during the fortification process.

To properly fortify rice nowadays, a variety of techniques are available. The selection of a specific technique for fortifying rice depends on local technological availability, personal preferences, and financial concerns. Here are the main fortification techniques now in use.

It is possible to utilize a micronutrient powder that can be mixed with rice and stick to the grains. Similar to this, rice can have its surface repeatedly sprayed with a mixture of vitamins and minerals that forms a barrier around the rice grains. They can be molded into a grain-like structure after being extruded from rice, giving them the appearance of being partially cooked and resembling rice grains. They can then be combined with unpolished rice. The vital micronutrients mentioned above can be added to rice kernels as a fortification. A plentiful supply of fortified kernels that is both affordable and sustainable is necessary for the fortification process.

Fortification of Rice Need

Dismal Health Data

According to the recently released National Family Health Survey 2019–2021 (NFHS–5), 90% of children in the nation between the ages of 6 and 23 months did not consume enough nutritious food. Children older than 6 months but younger than 5 years old were found to be anaemic in over 67% of cases. Men aged 5 to 49 made up 25% of the anaemic population, but women in the same age range had a higher percentage at 57%.

Hidden Hunger

Due to a lack of the proper nutrients in their food, even people who appear to be healthy can have malnutrition. This hidden hunger caused by a vitamin shortage is a severe health danger.

Regaining the Lost Nutrients

Food processing results in the loss of a lot of nutrients. For instance, to create the commonly consumed white rice, the husk, bran, and germ are removed during the rice milling process. Moreover, bran layers rich in micronutrients and lipids are removed during milling. 75–90% of the B1, B6, B3, and E vitamins are lost during grain polishing.

Cost Effectiveness

One of the most affordable solutions to address the nutritional shortage is fortification.

Easy Adoption

It doesn’t call for a change in the person. Most of the time, fortification only slightly alters the food’s flavor, look, and texture. Therefore, the preferences of each person don’t need much adjusting. However, there are certain exceptions.

Rice Fortification Concern Associated

In Jharkhand, the expert committee noticed a harmful effect of iron fortification in rice. The team discovered that Jharkhand’s tribal inhabitants already have too much iron in their bodies. Such patients’ ingestion of iron-fortified meals may lower immunity and have organ effects.

In some instances, it was seen that fortified rice had a negative impact on people’s health, demonstrating its ineffectiveness. Nutrients don’t act in isolation but need each other for effective absorption. The broader issue cannot be resolved by adding a few synthetic chemical vitamins and minerals; doing so can poison undernourished communities.

Sometimes it changes the flavour of the product, which lowers acceptance and decreases consumption. People in Jharkhand, for instance, were concerned that ordinary rice had been contaminated with “plastic rice.” The majority of women were observed removing and discarding the FRK applied to rice.

Fortified Rice Distribution Scheme

For a three-year period in 2019–20, the Government of India approved this programme to combat anaemia and the lack of micronutrients in the nation. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Schemes have urged Food Corporation of India to create a comprehensive plan for the procurement and distribution of fortified rice in all districts of the nation from 2021–2022.

The new name for the mid-day meal programme is PM POSHAN. The distribution of fortified rice to the nation’s 112 specifically designated Aspirational Districts continues to get special attention. In the first stage of deployment, 15 districts across the nation will get Fortified Rice through the Public Distribution System, with a preference for one district per state.

In the chosen districts, the PDS with Fortified Rice covers those who are eligible for benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). encourage the sharing of best practises between states, UTs, and the DoF&PD (Department of Food and Public Distribution). To assess the availability, accessibility, and consumption of fortified rice by the target population as well as the effectiveness of fortified rice consumption in lowering specific micronutrient deficiencies in various age and gender categories.

Government Initiative Related to Fortification

Regulations of the FSSAI

In order to lower India’s high rate of micronutrient malnutrition, the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016, were put into effect by the FSSAI in October 2016. These regulations mandated the fortification of staple foods like wheat flour and rice with iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, milk, and edible oil with vitamins A and D, and double-fortified salt with iodine and iron.

Nutritional Plan

India’s National Nutritional Strategy, published in 2017, recognised food fortification as one of the strategies to combat anaemia, vitamin A, and iodine deficits in addition to supplementation and dietary diversification.

Milk Fortification Initiative

In partnership with the World Bank and Tata Trusts, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) introduced the Milk Fortification Initiative as a pilot initiative in 2017.

Fortifying rice is a positive step in the fight against India’s malnutrition crisis. Given that it is a staple crop, fortified rice has the potential to significantly affect a large portion of the population and play a crucial part in reaching SDG 2, or eradicating hunger. However, every precaution should be taken to prevent any negative effects.

Fortified Rice FAQs

Q) What are the benefits of fortified rice?

Ans. According to the Food Ministry, dietary supplementation with additional vitamins and minerals can be accomplished through the fortification of rice. FSSAI standards state that 1 kilogramme of fortified rice must contain at least 28 mg to 42.5 mg of iron, 75 micrograms to 125 micrograms of folic acid, and 10 mg of vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).

Q) Who can eat fortified rice?

Ans. Extruded fortified rice is safe and effective for women and children, and it can dramatically improve haemoglobin status, iron deficiency anaemia, iron deficiency (ferritin levels), and other conditions, according to research papers from over 25 nations, including India.

Q) What are examples of fortified grains?

Ans. Since 1998, they have been folic acid-fortified. These goods include bread, rice, pasta, cornmeal, and flour. Vitamin folic acid is crucial for preventing birth abnormalities of the neural tube.

Q) Is there iron fortified rice?

Ans. I-Mix, iron-coated rice with 1300 mg of iron per 100 grammes, was mixed with conventional milled rice at a ratio of 1:250, or one part I-Mix to 250 parts regular milling rice, to fortify the rice.

Q) What is the healthiest rice in the world?

Ans. According to research, black rice has the most antioxidant activity of any variety, making it a healthy option. Antioxidants are substances that shield cells against harm brought on by an overabundance of free radicals, which is a factor in the condition known as oxidative stress.

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