Rice Fortification

In News

• The recent report flagged the risk of fortified rice for some that can create adverse health issues.

About the Report

• Prepared by: Jointly by the Alliance for sustainable and holistic agriculture (Asha Kisan Swaraj) and the Right to Food campaign, Jharkhand where fortified Rice is being distributed under central government-funded schemes such as
  • Public distribution systems. 
  • PM Poshan (erstwhile mid-day meal scheme at schools) and 
  • Integrated Child Development Scheme

Key Findings

• Distribution must stop: Distribution of iron-fortified rice through government schemes as a silver bullet to curb anaemia must stop in states such as Jharkhand which have large tribal populations that suffer from sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia and tuberculosis. 
  • For such people, an overload of iron can create adverse health issues. 
• No education to functionaries: Neither field functionaries nor beneficiaries had been educated about the potential harms and there were no warning labels despite the food regulator‘s rules on fortified foods. 
• No consent: Consent is not being obtained from beneficiaries. 
• No information/awareness: PDS dealers and frontline workers have not been informed beforehand about the potentially harmful effects of fortified rice. 
• Iron absorption problem: Thalassaemia, Sickle cell anaemia and malaria or conditions where there is already excess iron in the body whereas TB patients are unable to absorb iron. 
• Affects: Consumption of iron-fortified foods among patients with these diseases can reduce immunity and functionality of organs. 
• Health issues in Jharkhand: 
  • Jharkhand is an endemic zone of sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia with a prevalence of 8 to 10% which is twice the national average. 
  • Jharkhand is also an endemic zone for malaria, in 2020 the state ranked third in the country in malaria deaths. 

What is Food Fortification?

• According to WHO, the practice of adding vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods during processing improves their nutritional value.
• It allows food manufacturers to voluntarily fortify foods available in the marketplace.
• Rice Fortification: It is a process of adding micronutrients like iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, which is an effective, preventive and cost-efficient complementary strategy to address the nutrition problem within a short period.

Benefits of Fortification

• Eliminates malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. The Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every 1 Rupee spent on fortification results in 9 Rupees in benefits to the economy.
• Provides extra nutrition at affordable costs.
• Wide-scale production of fortified foods can help improve the overall nutritional problem of a country, by catering to both the poor and the wealthy.
• The inherent characteristics of the food remain the same even after fortification. This means that the original taste, texture, and appearance are unchanged.
• It does not require any changes in the food habits and patterns of people.

Challenges

• Only a handful of nutrients are added in the process of fortification. 
• Fortified food products fail to reach the poorest segments of society (Low Purchasing Power), who are among the worst section affected by nutritional deficiencies. 
• Fortified foods could lead to a nutritional overdose.
• In the long run, one will need a substantial diet, which limits the potential of fortified foods in lower segments of society.

Government Steps

• In 2018, FSSAI notified standards of fortification for five staple product categories — milk, edible oil, rice, flour and salt (‘F+’ logo to be displayed on labels).
• In January 2021, the FSSAI issued a draft regulation for mandatory fortification of edible oil and milk with Vitamin A and D. 
• Milk Fortification Project: By the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in collaboration with the World Bank.

Way Ahead

• Right to Informed food choice: The right to inform choices about one’s food is a basic right there right to know what one is consuming is also a basic right.
• Universal certification along with proper monitoring is the answer for nutrition deficiencies.
• There is a need for precision because nutrients taken in excess can adversely affect people. 

Source: TH