Centre Pauses Rice Fortification

• 02 Mar 2026

Source: BS

Why in News?

The Union government has decided to "temporarily" discontinue rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and allied schemes after a comprehensive review based on a study from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. 

What are the Recent Developments Regarding Rice Fortification?

• Nutrient Degradation: The IIT Kharagpur study assessed the shelf life of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) across diverse agro-climatic zones. 
  • It found that moisture content, storage conditions, temperature, relative humidity, and packaging material critically influence stability, leading to a decline in micronutrient levels over time.
• Storage Cycle and Operational Realities: The problem is exacerbated by the fact that rice in the central pool is often stored for 2-3 years. With an annual allocation of 37.2 million tonnes under PMGKAY and a total projected availability of 67.4 million tonnes, the gap implies extended storage cycles that heighten the risk of nutrient loss.
• Impact on Welfare Schemes and Continuity: The government has clarified that this temporary discontinuation will not reduce foodgrain entitlements and will not affect operations under the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), or the PM Poshan Scheme (formerly Mid-Day Meal scheme).
• Industry Distress: The sudden decision has caused distress in the milling industry, with stakeholders reporting huge losses on raw materials like folic acid, broken rice, and premixes, and suggesting the policy should have been aligned with the next crop season (2026–27).

What is Rice Fortification?

• About: Rice fortification is the deliberate addition of essential vitamins and minerals to rice during post-harvest processing to enhance its nutritional quality. 
  • It addresses hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) without changing the rice's taste, appearance, or cooking properties.
• Rationale for Fortification: Polished white rice, the most commonly consumed form, loses 75–90% of its natural vitamins (like thiamine, niacin, B6, and vitamin E) during milling. Fortification restores these lost nutrients and adds others that rice naturally lacks.
• Common Micronutrients Added: The key nutrients added typically include Iron (to combat anaemia), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) (to prevent neural tube defects), Vitamin B12, Zinc, Vitamin A, and other B-complex vitamins (B1, B3, B6)
• India's Policy Rollout: It was announced by the Prime Minister on the 75th Independence Day to address malnutrition. The first phase began in October 2021, supplying fortified rice through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme (formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
• Regulatory Standards: Fortified rice in India is produced by blending regular rice with Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK). As per standards fixed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which has prescribed blending rice with three micronutrients, i.e., iron, folic acid and vitamin B12.

Rice Fortification Components

• Iron: A trace mineral key to hemoglobin for oxygen transport. Deficiency causes iron-deficiency anemia, prevalent in women, children, and pregnant women.
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Essential for DNA synthesis and maintaining the myelin sheath (fatty, insulating layer wrapped around nerve fibers). Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and neurological symptoms (numbness, memory issues), which can be irreversible. Found primarily in animal products, posing risks for vegetarians.
• Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Crucial for cell growth and preventing neural tube defects in fetuses. Deficiency also causes megaloblastic anemia. Naturally, it is found in green leafy vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is rice fortification?
Rice fortification is the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients like Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 to rice during processing to enhance its nutritional value and combat "hidden hunger" without altering its taste or properties.

2. Why has the government temporarily discontinued rice fortification?
Due to findings by Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur showing micronutrient degradation during prolonged storage under varied agro-climatic conditions.

3. What are the key micronutrients mandated in fortified rice by FSSAI?
As per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards, rice must be blended with Iron, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), and Vitamin B12.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017) 

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1 and 2 only   
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only  
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only   
(d) 3 and 4 only  

Ans: (a) 

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Q. Which of the following is/are the indicators/ indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (2016)

1. Undernourishment
2. Child stunting
3. Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Ans: (c)