Lok Sabha Question No. 6011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Rice Fortification Programme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6011

## TO BE ANSWERED ON IsT APRIL, 2026

## RICE FORTIFICATION  PROGRAMME

## 6011. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a): the objectives  and features of the Rice Fortification Programme;
- (b): the total quantity  of fortified  rice distributed under the programme so far through the Public Distribution System, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services;
- (c): the funds allocated and utilised for the implementation of the programme  within  Tamil Nadu so far;
- (d): whether the Government has conducted any evaluation  or scientific  study regarding the effectiveness of fortified rice in addressing malnutrition  and micronutrient deficiencies; and
- (c): the details of the steps taken by the Government  to ensure quality control, safety standards  and awareness among beneficiaries regarding the benefits of fortified rice under this programme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): The  Rice  Fortification Initiative aims  to  provide fortified rice  enriched with essential micronutrients such as iron,  folic  acid, and vitamin  B12 to  tackle micronutrient deficiencies, particularly anemia. In  order to achieve uniform nutritional impact of fortified  rice among the targeted population, the Government of India is supplying fortified rice through the Pradhan  Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PiVIGKAY), Pradhan IVlantri Poshan  Shakti Nirman (PIVI POSHAN) Scheme, Integrated Child  Development Services (ICDS)  Scheme and in Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) in all  States and Union Territories (UTs).
- (b): So far Approx. 1098 LiVITs of fortified rice has been distributed/lifted under the various food safety-net programmes of  Government of  India.
- (c): For  the  implementation  of Rice  Fortification Initiative across all States/tiTs,  the Government of India has allocated Rs. 1323.38 Cr. for  F. Y. 2022-23, Rs. 2679.47 Cr. for F. Y. 202324 and then extended the initiative at an annual financial  implication of Rs.3796 Cr.

Food subsidy is  released for  distribution of  foodgrains (Wheat, Rice and Coarse grains), no commodity wise food  subsidy released is  maintained by  Department of  Food and Public Distribution (DFPD). The total food subsidy released for distribution of  foodgrains (including fortified rice) within  Tamil  Nadu from  F. Y.  2022-23 to till  dated (as on 24.03.2026)  is as under:

| Financial year   |   Amount in Rs. Crore) |
|------------------|------------------------|
| 2022-23          |                8685.95 |
| 2023-24          |                7072.53 |
| 2024-25          |                6033.9  |
| 2025-26          |                7735.13 |

(d): NITI  Aayog and Indian Council of  Medical Research - National Institute of  Nutrition (ICMR-NIN)  have taken up a study in six districts in six different states (Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam) of the country to evaluate the impacts of iron fortified  rice supplied through the Public Distribution  Systems in India. The study includes all age groups,  employs a time-series, repeat cross-sectional design and covers approximately 10,000 individuals.

Additionally,  The State Government of  Uttar Pradesh, with the support from the United Nations World Food Programme, conducted an efficacy and effectiveness study on  rice fortification  in Chandauli  district. The study showed a significant 7.5 % point reduction in anemia prevalence among the children (6-59 months) after the introduction of rice fortification,  with rates decreasing  from  65.7% (baseline: National  Family  Health Survey-5, Jan. 2021) to 58.2% (endline: July-August 2023).

In  addition,  ICMR-NIN, Hyderabad also conducted a review  of literature and found that there is a limited  evidence of transient adverse effects among participants consuming iron  fortified rice. Another notable finding is that considering the level of iron fortification in rice in India, the total iron intake through fortified  rice is less than 0.59 mg/kg/day for any age group, which is well within the normal daily  iron requirement.

(e): To ensure quality control  of fortified  rice, each lot of fortified  rice (FR) is being accepted only after quantitative analysis. All  physical parameters, including the blending ratio of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) are thoroughly checked.

To ensure compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Act  and Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), FSSAI through the State/UT Food Safety Authorities and it's four regional offices, conducts regular surveillance, inspections9 sampling, and enforcement activities  in the country. If  any deviations from the standards or violations  to the  FSSR are observed, the defaulting  food  business operators (FBOs)  are subject to regulatory  actions, including punitive measures, as stipulated under the FSS Act  2006 and its associated rules.

FSSAI has approved 56 laboratories for  testing of micronutrients (Iron,  Vitamin  B9 and Vitamin B12) in Fortified Rice (FR), 31 labs for Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) and 17 labs for Vitamin-Mineral  premix for FRK across the country. Additionally,  454 officials have been notified as Food Safety Officers  for the purpose of surveillance sampling of  FRK. Each batch of FRK  is being tested at  FSSAI empaneled National Accreditation Board for  Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)  accredited laboratory before its blending with conventional rice.

To educate people about the benefits of  fortified  rice, various State Governments were requested to organize programmes to create awareness on benefits of  fortified  rice and its positive impact on nutritional  security in the tribal areas of the country. Besides, various workshops were held at Divisional/Regional Office level by Food Corporation of  India (FCI) to sensitize the stakeholders about the nutrition  related benefits of  fortified  rice.

Information,  Education, Communication (IEC)  materials were also shared by DFPD with States/UTs for  their dissemination  for  spreading  awareness about it. A provision  of Administrative/ Contingency  Cost which  inter-alia  includes IEC and Capacity Building  to the tune of Rs. 5.00 lakh per district was made, which was to be borne by  the Government of  India, during the implementation of rice fortification initiative  in Phase-II and Phase-III.

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