Daily Current Affairs : 23-August-2023

The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) recently organized a one-day National Seminar on Rice Fortification, shedding light on an essential aspect of nutrition enhancement in India. Food fortification, a process of adding vital micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 during food processing, has gained significance as an effective, preventive, and cost-efficient strategy to tackle malnutrition. This essay explores the concept of food fortification, its benefits, concerns, government initiatives, and the way forward for a healthier India.

Understanding Food Fortification

Food fortification is the practice of enriching commonly consumed foods with essential vitamins and minerals during processing. This process significantly enhances their nutritional value, making them more effective in addressing malnutrition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this approach is a valuable tool to combat nutritional deficiencies.

Benefits of Fortification
  1. Eliminating Malnutrition: India’s position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) has declined to 101st out of 116 countries in 2021 from 94th in 2020. Fortification can play a pivotal role in eliminating malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
  2. Affordable Nutrition: The Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every rupee spent on fortification yields nine rupees in economic benefits. This demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of fortification in providing extra nutrition at affordable costs.
  3. Preserving Food Characteristics: Fortification does not alter the taste, texture, or appearance of food. This means that the inherent characteristics of the food remain the same.
  4. No Changes in Eating Habits: Fortified foods do not require people to change their eating habits and patterns. They can continue to consume the foods they are accustomed to while benefiting from improved nutrition.
  5. Broad Impact: Wide-scale production of fortified foods can address nutritional problems across the socioeconomic spectrum, benefiting both the poor and the wealthy.
Concerns about Fortification
  1. Limited Nutrients: Fortification typically adds only a few select nutrients to food, potentially leaving other nutritional gaps.
  2. Access for Vulnerable Groups: Fortified foods may not reach the poorest segments of society with low purchasing power, who often suffer the most from nutritional deficiencies.
  3. Risk of Overdose: There is a concern that excessive consumption of fortified foods could lead to a nutritional overdose of certain nutrients.
  4. Long-Term Diet: While fortified foods provide certain nutrients, they should not replace the need for a balanced and substantial diet in the long run.
Government Initiatives
  1. Universal Rice Fortification: The Indian government aims to ensure nutritional security by distributing fortified rice through various food security schemes. The Prime Minister’s announcement of universal rice fortification by 2024 targets around 100 crore people, including 20 crore women of reproductive age.
  2. FCI’s Role: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been entrusted with creating a comprehensive plan for the procurement and distribution of fortified rice under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme.
  3. F+ Logo: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established standards for fortification in staple product categories, including milk, edible oil, rice, flour, and salt.
  4. Milk Fortification Project: The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), in collaboration with the World Bank, has initiated a Milk Fortification Project to enhance the nutritional content of dairy products.
The Way Forward

To fully harness the potential of food fortification in India, several steps are crucial:

  1. Research and Analysis: Comprehensive research is needed to understand the impact of fortified foods on the population’s health and well-being.
  2. Certification and Monitoring: Establishing a robust certification system and monitoring mechanism is imperative to ensure the effectiveness of fortification in addressing nutrition deficiencies in India.

Important Points:

Benefits of Food Fortification:

  • Eliminates malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Provides extra nutrition at affordable costs, with a 1:9 cost-benefit ratio.
  • Preserves the taste, texture, and appearance of food.
  • Requires no changes in eating habits.
  • Has the potential to address nutritional problems across different socioeconomic groups.

Concerns about Food Fortification:

  • Limited nutrients added during fortification.
  • Challenges in ensuring access for vulnerable, low-income groups.
  • Risk of nutritional overdose if fortified foods are consumed excessively.
  • Cannot replace the need for a balanced long-term diet.

Government Initiatives:

  • Universal rice fortification by 2024, targeting 100 crore people.
  • Food Corporation of India (FCI) tasked with distribution plans.
  • ‘F+’ logo standards established by FSSAI for staple products.
  • Milk Fortification Project by NDDB in collaboration with the World Bank.
Why In News

The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) recently orchestrated a one-day National Seminar on Rice Fortification, a vital step in addressing malnutrition concerns. This informative event gathered experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing the nutritional value of rice, further advancing our efforts to combat food insecurity and improve public health.

MCQs about The Power of Food Fortification

  1. What is the primary advantage of consuming fortified foods?
    A. They require significant changes in eating habits.
    B. They have a low cost-benefit ratio.
    C. They provide extra nutrition at affordable costs.
    D. They replace the need for a balanced diet.
    Correct Answer: C. They provide extra nutrition at affordable costs.
    Explanation: Fortified foods offer extra nutrition at affordable costs, making them an effective strategy to combat malnutrition.
  2. What is a potential concern associated with excessive consumption of fortified foods?
    A. They may lead to changes in eating habits.
    B. They often have a short shelf life.
    C. They may lead to a nutritional overdose.
    D. They are only suitable for specific age groups.
    Correct Answer: C. They may lead to a nutritional overdose.
    Explanation: Overconsumption of fortified foods could lead to excessive intake of certain nutrients, causing potential health risks.
  3. Which government initiative aims to ensure nutritional security through food fortification in India?
    A. Launching a campaign to promote organic farming.
    B. Distributing free fruits to school children.
    C. Universal rice fortification by 2024.
    D. Establishing fast food outlets in rural areas.
    Correct Answer: C. Universal rice fortification by 2024.
    Explanation: The Indian government aims to ensure nutritional security through the distribution of fortified rice under various food security schemes, with a target to achieve universal rice fortification by 2024.

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