Fortified Ration
29, Jun 2019
Prelims level : Governance- Policies, Governance- Schemes
Mains level : GS2I - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design andimplementation
Why in News?
- Department of Food & Public Distribution has approved the “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System”. Financial Assistance up to 90% in case of North-Eastern, Hilly and Island States and up to 75% in case of rest of the States has been extended.
Fortified Ration
- Under the scheme, milled rice will be mixed with a premix containing vitamins and minerals post-harvest.
- As per the Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, iron, Vitamin B12, and Folic acid are the mandatory nutrients for the fortification of rice, the kernels of which are added into the regular rice kernels in 1 to 100 ratio.
- Iron and folic acid are the two main ingredients that will be added to the food grains.
- Fortification norms will be in accordance with the specifications laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- Further, Government of India has also advised all States/UTs especially those States/UTs that are distributing wheat flour through Public Distribution System (PDS), to distribute fortified wheat flour through PDS Fortified Edible oils is also supplied to certain states through PDS