The government’s decision to suspend the much-publicised fortified rice scheme under the Public Distribution System (PDS) has surprised rice kernel producers and drawn mixed reactions from civil society groups, Business Standard reported.
Announcing the temporary halt, the government said the move was based on a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. The study reportedly found that micronutrient levels in fortified rice kernels and fortified rice can reduce over time due to long storage and regular handling.
Officials noted that rice stored in the central pool often remains in warehouses for two to three years because of large procurement volumes and limited annual distribution. They said prolonged storage could lead to nutrient loss, affecting the effectiveness of the fortified rice supplied to beneficiaries.
The rice under the scheme was enriched with iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid to help address the country’s persistent anaemia problem.
Some organisations that had earlier questioned the programme welcomed the decision. Kavitha Kuruganti, Founder Convenor of the Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture, said the scheme was either an expensive measure with limited results or one that raised safety concerns. She added that not all anaemia is caused by iron deficiency and argued that fortification may not be a complete solution.
Experts said the government’s explanation regarding nutrient loss during storage appears practical. Dr HPS Sachdev, senior consultant in paediatrics at the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, said iron can deteriorate in conditions of high humidity and temperature. He pointed out that some regions of India, particularly coastal areas, face such conditions, which can affect stored food products. He added that similar deterioration can occur in medicines as well.
Sachdev also said that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued clear guidelines for the storage and handling of fortified rice and rice kernels.
Rice fortification involves adding essential nutrients to improve the nutritional value of rice. In the process, micronutrients such as iron compounds, along with folic acid and vitamin B-12, are mixed into a paste and shaped into rice-like grains called fortified rice kernels. These kernels are then blended with regular rice.
The government has stated that the fortification process will remain suspended until a more effective method of delivering nutrients to beneficiaries is identified.
Sachdev said that the best way to improve nutrition is through a balanced diet. He emphasised the importance of fresh fruits, vegetables and wholesome food, adding that iron supplementation programmes in tablet form are already available in the country.
He also highlighted another challenge, noting that rice comes in different varieties with varying sizes, colours and textures. Because of these differences, fortified kernels may not always blend uniformly with all types of rice. In some cases, colour variations have led to complaints from consumers who mistakenly believed the rice was plastic.
