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Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government approved the distribution of fortified rice in three phases across the targeted public distribution system by 2024.
The Union Cabinet's decision was made with the primary goal of addressing the issue of malnutrition among the poor. The total cost of the system will be $2,700 each year.
The Food Safety and Requirements Authority of India sets the standards for fortified rice (FSSAI). It is suggested that rice be blended with three micronutrients: iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
Last year, the Prime Minister announced in his Independence Day address that by 2024, fortified rice would be available through all central government programmes.
Let's have a look at what fortified rice is.
FSSAI defines rice fortification as "deliberately enhancing the content of key micronutrients in a food in order to improve nutritional quality and give public health benefit with minimal risk to health."
Extrusion, coating, and dusting are some of the technologies used to combine micronutrients with normal rice. Extrusion is the process of creating reinforced rice kernels (FRKs) from a mixture using an extrusion machine. When fortified rice kernels are combined with regular rice, fortified rice is created.
Why is it necessary to use fortified rice?
Because of the significant prevalence of malnutrition, particularly among women and children, food fortification has been identified as one of the most effective ways to combat the disease.
Because rice is one of India's most common foods, fortifying rice with micronutrients is a viable alternative for supplementing the poor man's diet.
Fortified rice is made in the same way as regular rice, with no additional steps.
Rice consumption per capita in India is 6.8 kilogramme per month. As a result, fortifying rice with vitamins is a viable alternative for supplementing the poor's diet. 10 g of FRK must be blended with 1 kilogramme of normal rice, according to the Food Ministry's recommendations.