The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution on 20th May 2022, has notified the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to maintain the desired quality standards for implantation of rice fortification. The SOP clearly narrates the level-wise role & responsibilities of various stakeholders engaged under the ambitious scheme from FRK (Fortified Rice Kernels) manufacturing to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries.
Rice fortification, a process of adding micronutrients like Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, is an effective, preventive and cost-efficient complementary strategy to address the challenge of anaemia.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution is working tirelessly to ensure the implementation of ‘Rice Fortification’ to address malnutrition, anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies.
The Centre has been making efforts for creating various awareness programmes in different areas of country about the benefits of consuming fortified rice. State Governments have been suitably advised to sensitize the people of their State about the myths and misconceptions about fortified rice. Multiple states across the country have been effectively implementing fortified rice distribution through the public distribution system since the launch of the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme for distribution of fortified rice thorough PDS, without any major challenges. Moreover, due to lack of awareness, however, fortified rice and its benefits are not understood properly.
With regard to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation on packaging material, procuring agencies like Food Corporation of India (FCI)/State Agencies, as the case may be strictly follows the guidelines of FSSAI and bags are imprinted with the +F logo and message “People with Thalassemia may take fortified rice under medical supervision.”
FSSAI, empanelled the FRK (Fortified Rice Kernels) manufacturers/licensed them, developed various quality certification standards/guidelines for packaging and stencilling of finished products and mapping the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited labs under the states which may test the various quality parameters of FRK/FR.
