Rice Fortification Halted: IIT Kharagpur Study & PMGKAY Impact

Based on an IIT Kharagpur study, the Government has decided to temporarily halt rice fortification under PMGKAY and allied schemes until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is developed.

• This decision of temporary discontinuation of the fortification process does not entail any reduction in foodgrain entitlements and will not affect operations under the PDS, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), or the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

Key Highlights of Study

• Study Conducted by: IIT Kharagpur assessed shelf life of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) under real storage conditions across diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Key Findings:
  • Critical factors affecting stability: Moisture content, storage conditions, temperature, relative humidity, and packaging.
  • Impact on nutrients: Prolonged storage and routine handling reduce micronutrient content, shortening effective shelf life.
  • Nutritional outcome affected: Reduced shelf life limits the intended benefits of fortified rice.

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About Rice Fortification

• Rice fortification is the process of enriching rice with essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and B6 to improve its nutritional value. 

Fortification of Rice

• Rice is fortified using various technologies such as coating, dusting, and extrusion.
• The extrusion process produces fortified rice kernels (FRKs) by mixing dry rice flour with a premix of micronutrients, which is then processed through an extruder to create kernels resembling regular rice.
• Fortified rice is blended with regular rice, ensuring 10 grams of FRK is combined with 1 kilogram of regular rice.

Rice Fortification Scheme in India

• Type: Centrally funded scheme, with 100% cost borne by the Central Government. Implemented under PMGKAY with a unified institutional mechanism.
• Aim: To combat anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies at the population level.
• Distribution: Fortified rice is supplied free of cost across all States and Union Territories through major welfare programmes like:
  • Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
  • PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)

Benefits of Fortified Rice

• Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies: It helps combat iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc deficiencies.
  • For Example: Reduces prevalence of anemia among women and children.
• Enhanced Maternal Health: It provides essential nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, reducing maternal and infant mortality.
  • For Example: Folic acid fortified rice lowers the risk of neural tube defects.
• Improved Child Health and Development: It supports cognitive development, immunity, and physical growth in children.
  • For Example: Fortified rice with iron and vitamin A reduces stunting and improves school performance.
• Support to Public Welfare Programs: It integrates nutrition into government food schemes like PMGKAY, ICDS, and mid-day meal schemes.
  • For Example: Fortified rice in mid-day meals improves micronutrient intake of school children.

Challenges of Rice Fortification

• Shelf-life and Stability Issues: Micronutrients in Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) can degrade during storage, handling, and transportation.
  • As they are sensitive to moisture, temperature, humidity, and packaging.
• Dependence on External Technology and Expertise: Fortification requires specialized machinery, technical know-how, and quality certification.
  • Limited indigenous capacity in smaller mills can hinder scaling
• Cost and Financial Sustainability: Fortification increases production costs slightly, requiring budgetary allocation.
  • Scaling fortification for millions of beneficiaries is resource-intensive.
• Quality Control and Standardization: Ensuring consistent nutrient content across large-scale production is difficult.
  • It requires sophisticated testing labs, monitoring, and certification systems.

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Way Forward

• Develop Robust Nutrient Delivery Mechanisms: Use encapsulated iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to prevent nutrient loss during storage and cooking.
• Enhance Quality Control & Standardization: Implement routine testing in ICDS centers, mid-day meal kitchens, and central pools to ensure uniform micronutrient content
• Integrate with National Nutrition Programs: Distribute fortified rice through PMGKAY, ICDS, and Mid-Day Meal Scheme to maximize reach.

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