Key Facts & Data Points

  • Decision: Temporary discontinuation of rice fortification under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and allied schemes.
  • Study Source: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
  • Shelf‑life Issues: Moisture, temperature, relative humidity and packaging affect Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) leading to nutrient degradation.
  • Storage Reality: Central pool rice stored for 2‑3 years; annual allocation 37.2 million tonnes under PMGKAY, projected availability 67.4 million tonnes.
  • Micronutrients Mandated (FSSAI): Iron, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin B12.
  • Schemes Unaffected: Food‑grain entitlements, Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and PM Poshan Scheme.
  • Industry Impact: Milling sector reports losses on raw materials (folic acid, broken rice, premixes).

Background & Context

  • Rice Fortification involves adding essential vitamins/minerals during post‑harvest processing to combat hidden hunger without altering taste or cooking properties.
  • Nutritional Rationale: Polished white rice loses 75‑90 % of natural vitamins (thiamine, niacin, B6, vitamin E). Fortification restores these and adds nutrients absent in rice.
  • Policy Roll‑out: Announced on the 75th Independence Day; Phase‑1 began Oct 2021, supplying fortified rice through ICDS and PM Poshan.
  • Regulatory Framework: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards prescribe blending rice with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Nutrition Security: Fortified rice targets anemia, neural‑tube defects and other micronutrient deficiencies prevalent among women, children and pregnant women.
  • Food Security: Aligns with National Nutrition Mission and broader goals of reducing hidden hunger.
  • Policy Implication: The pause underscores the need for robust supply‑chain management, appropriate storage technologies, and periodic review of fortification standards.
  • Economic Angle: Disruption affects the milling industry’s input costs and could influence future public‑private partnerships in food fortification.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Article 47 of the Constitution (Directive Principle) – State shall raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living.
  • National Food Security Act, 2013 – Guarantees subsidised food grains; fortification is a quality‑enhancement measure.
  • FSSAI Act, 2006 – Empowers the authority to set standards for fortified foods.

FAQs (Brief)

  1. What is rice fortification? Adding micronutrients (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12) to rice post‑harvest to improve nutritional value.
  2. Why was it discontinued? IIT‑Kharagpur study showed significant nutrient loss during prolonged storage under varied agro‑climatic conditions.
  3. Which micronutrients are mandated? Iron, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin B12 as per FSSAI standards.

Relevant Previous Year Question (PYQ)

  • Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017) – Highlights the link between nutrition schemes and rice fortification.

Implications for UPSC Aspirants

  • Understand the policy‑implementation gap in large‑scale nutrition programmes.
  • Relate storage‑technology challenges to nutrient retention.
  • Connect constitutional directives with contemporary nutrition‑security initiatives.