The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a scheme worth Rs17,082 crore to promote fortified rice in India, aiming to address anemia and micronutrient deficiencies across the country. The entire cost of the initiative will be covered by the Central Government.
Anemia remains a significant health concern in India, as highlighted by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021. The survey revealed that anemia affects children, women, and men across various age groups and income levels. In addition to iron deficiency, there are also widespread deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B12 and folic acid, which negatively impact the nation's overall health and productivity.
Food fortification has proven to be an effective and safe method worldwide to combat anemia and other micronutrient malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations. In India, rice fortification has been identified as an ideal solution due to the fact that 65% of the population consumes rice as a staple food. The process of rice fortification involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), which are enriched with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12, to regular rice, following the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Cabinet to Decide on DA Hike Today: What Central Govt Employees Can Expect
How Atal Pension Yojana Enrollment Surpassed 7 Crore Mark
SPARSH Portal Linked to 30 Lakh Defence Pensioners: Rajnath Singh