- Overview: The Union government has temporarily suspended the distribution of fortified rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) following a critical study by IIT Kharagpur.
- Key Points:
- Scientific Intervention: Research indicated that prolonged storage of fortified rice leads to degradation of essential micronutrients (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12).
- Health Precautions: Concerns arose over the efficacy and potential toxicity of oxidized fortificants when exposed to substandard FCI godown conditions.
- Policy Pause: The initiative, originally designed to combat widespread anemia, will undergo rigorous re-evaluation regarding shelf-life protocols and supply chain logistics.
- Social Impact: Highlights the complex intersection of food security mandates and scientific safety standards in mass distribution networks.
- Syllabus Relevance: Public Health, PDS (GS-III), Science & Technology applications.
Source Link: FCI Food Fortification Guidelines
- Q6. The process of ‘Rice Fortification’ typically involves the mandatory addition of which of the following micronutrients to combat malnutrition in India?
- Iron
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- A) 1 and 2 only
- B) 1, 2, and 3 only
- C) 2, 3, and 4 only
- D) 1, 2, 3, and 4
