Government Clarifies ‘Fortified Rice’ Amid Citizens’ Fears of ‘Plastic Rice’ Controversy
In a recent turn of events, citizens have expressed concerns over the rice distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS), claiming it to be ‘plastic rice.’ However, the government has stepped forward to address the issue, assuring the public that it is not plastic rice but rather ‘fortified rice,’ which comes with added nutritional benefits.
Fortified rice, slightly larger in size and with a whiter appearance, has triggered suspicions among some people who fear its resemblance to plastic rice, particularly when it floats while being washed. Girja Devi, Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department in Bengaluru Rural Region, clarified that the rice being supplied through PDS is indeed fortified rice and not plastic rice. She explained that during the distribution process, a proportion of fortified rice is mixed with regular rice, allowing people to receive the nutritional benefits without any risk.
The initiative to provide fortified rice was announced by Prime Minister Modi during his address on the 75th Independence Day in 2021. The government has made substantial progress in its implementation, with more than 9,000 rice mills now equipped with blending infrastructure, producing around 60 LMT of fortified rice monthly. Additionally, government departments have established Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) to ensure adherence to Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) protocols during the production and distribution of fortified rice.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has drafted standards for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and pre-mix, while the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also notified the standards for FRK and associated machinery. Concurrently, NITI Aayog, along with other stakeholders, is working to evaluate the impact of the rice fortification initiative. Efforts are underway to educate the public about the nutritional benefits of fortified rice through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns involving experts and development partners.
Fortified rice, also known as FRK, contains essential micronutrients such as Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12, added to regular rice in a controlled ratio of 1:100. This process retains the aroma, taste, and texture of traditional rice, making it a cost-effective and complementary strategy to enhance the nutritional content in diets.
As the government works to spread awareness about the benefits of fortified rice, citizens are encouraged to dispel their concerns and embrace this initiative aimed at improving public health through enriched nutrition in their daily meals.
