The Prime Minister on August 15, 2021 said that the rice available at ration shops, the rice provided to children in the midday meal or the rice available through every government scheme will be fortified by the year 2024.
What is rice fortification?
- According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rice is fortified using extrusion technology. Milled rice is pulverised and mixed with a premix containing vitamins and minerals.
- FRK is produced from this mixture. It is then added to traditional rice in the ratio ranging from 1:50 to 1: 200 resulting in fortified rice, which is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture.
- On July 12, a circular issued by the Food Fortification Resources Centre, a body set up by the FSSAI and Tata Trusts, said that FRK is classified under Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) code 19049090 and attracts 18 per cent GST.
- Government of India had approved a Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System” for a period of 3 years beginning in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs 174.64 Crore.
- The Department of Food & Public Distribution along with Food Corporation of India started distributing Fortified Rice under ICDS/MDM from April, 2021.
- The Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System currently implemented in 6 States, – Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh have started the distribution of fortified rice under pilot scheme..
