Learn about rice fortification, a strategy to address micronutrient deficiency in countries with high rice consumption. Find out the cost, benefits, and potential of rice fortification in India, the second leading rice producer in the world. What is fortified rice ? Why did Centre extend its distribution in schemes? In a briefing on the Cabinet decision, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the aim of this was to “address anaemia and micro-nutrients deficiency”. The process involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) to regular custom-milled rice , following standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Rice fortification can be achieved by either coating grains with a micronutrient premix or by blending extruded rice kernels enriched with micronutrients with regular rice . Fortification aligns with WHO guidelines and is crucial as 65% of India's population consumes rice daily.
