Rice Fortification

14.10.2024

Rice Fortification

Why in the news?

The Union Cabinet extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes providing free food grain under the National Food Security Act, 2021, in its present form, until December 2028.

About Rice Fortification:

• Fortification is the process of adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), containing FSSAI-prescribed micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) to normal Rice in a ratio of 1:100 (Mixing 1 Kg of FRK with 100 Kg custom milled rice).
• Fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. This process is done in the rice mills at the time of milling of rice.
• It is a cost-effective, culturally appropriate strategy to address micronutrient deficiency in countries with high per capita rice consumption.
• Rice Fortification is a 2-step process – (1) Production of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK)  (2) Blending of rice with FRK

Processes used for rice is fortification

○Various technologies, such as coating, dusting, and ‘extrusion’, are available to add micronutrients to regular rice.

○Adding micronutrient technology involves the production of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs) from a mixture using an ‘extruder’ machine. It is considered to be the best technology in India.

○Dry rice flour is mixed with a premix of micronutrients and water is added to this mixture, which is then passed through a twin-screw extruder with heating zones.

○Kernels similar in shape and size to rice are produced, which must “resemble the normal milled rice as closely as possible”.

○The kernels are dried, cooled, and packaged. FRK has a shelf life of at least 12 months.

○The kernels are blended with regular rice to produce fortified rice. ○Under the Ministry’s guidelines, 10 g of FRK must be blended with 1 kg of regular rice.

• According to FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice will contain the following: iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 micrograms), and vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).

                                                                        Source: Indian Express

Consider the following statements regarding Rice Fortification:

1. It is a process of adding Fortified Rice Kernels which is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma and taste.

2. It helps in addressing the micronutrient deficiency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C