Food Fortification in India: Need & Challenges

India’s food fortification programme faces reassessment after IIT Kharagpur flagged storage-related nutrient losses in fortified rice under PMGKAY.

Current Status of Food Fortification in India

Meaning: It is the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients like iron, iodine, zinc, folic acid, and Vitamins A & D to staple foods to improve nutritional quality & reduce hidden hunger.

Legal Framework

FSS Act 2006: Food fortification is regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
FSSAI Regulations 2016: FSSAI operationalised the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016 for rice, wheat flour, milk, edible oil, and double fortified salt.
Fortification Logo: The “+F” logo identifies certified fortified food products under FSSAI guidelines.
Food Standards 2018: Updated Fortification Regulations 2018 prescribe micronutrient standards and compliance mechanisms for fortified foods.

Types of Food Fortification

Bio Fortification: Enhances crop nutrition through breeding or genetic modification, like Vitamin A-rich orange sweet potato.
Industrial Fortification: Adds micronutrients during processing, like iodine sprayed on salt and FRK mixed with regular rice.
Home Fortification: Individuals add nutrient sachets or iron sprinkles directly into cooked food before consumption.

Need for Food Fortification

Anaemia Crisis: NFHS-5 reports 67% children and 57% women in India suffer from anaemia due to iron deficiency.
Hidden Hunger: Over 70% Indians consume less than half the recommended micronutrient intake, causing widespread hidden hunger.
Child Malnutrition: UNICEF reports malnutrition contributes to nearly 69% deaths among children below five years in India.
Hunger Concern: India ranked 102^nd among 123 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2025, reflecting persistent nutritional deficiencies.
Cost-Effective Nutrition: Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every ₹1 spent on fortification generates nearly ₹9 economic and health benefits.

Government Initiatives

Rice Fortification Scheme: Pilot launched in 2019 across 15 districts with ₹174.64 crore allocation.
Public Distribution System: Fortified rice distributed through PDS, ICDS, Mid-Day Meal, and PMGKAY schemes.
Poshan Abhiyaan: Supports fortified wheat flour & nutrition interventions for women & children.
ICDS Integration: Fortified foods distributed under the Integrated Child Development Services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
PM-POSHAN Scheme: Fortified rice supplied through the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to improve nutrition among school children nationwide.

Challenges of Food Fortification

Iron Overload: Studies show excess iron may cause diarrhoea, liver fibrosis, and reduced zinc absorption among vulnerable populations.
Dietary Diversity: NFHS-5 shows persistent protein and calorie deficiencies despite micronutrient-focused fortification strategies in India.
Fiscal Burden: Nationwide distribution of fortified rice may cost the government nearly ₹2,600 crore annually through welfare schemes.
Small Industry: Nearly 80% food-processing units are small enterprises lacking fortification technology and blending infrastructure capacity.

Way Forward for Food Fortification

Dietary Diversification: Promote millets, pulses, eggs, and vegetables under Poshan Abhiyaan, as 35.5% Indian children remain stunted (NFHS-5).
Strong Monitoring: Strengthen FSSAI testing and audits, as over 2,700 rice mills now produce fortified rice across 14 states.
Awareness Expansion: Increase awareness of the “+F” logo since over 70% Indians consume inadequate micronutrients according to FFRC data.
MSME Support: Provide subsidies and extrusion technology support because nearly 80% food-processing units are small, informal enterprises.
Welfare Coverage: Expand fortified rice distribution through PDS, ICDS, and PM-POSHAN, covering crores of vulnerable beneficiaries nationwide.

“Healthy citizens are a nation’s greatest asset”, and food fortification with Poshan Abhiyaan can ensure nutrition security, reduce hidden hunger, and build human capital.

Reference: PIB | PMFIAS: Rice Fortification

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 680

Q. While food fortification is considered a cost-effective strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies, questions remain regarding overconsumption, regulatory oversight, and corporate influence in nutrition policy. Critically examine the statement and suggest measures for ensuring balanced and evidence-based nutritional interventions in India. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Write a contextual introduction about the food fortification in India.
Body: Write the significance of food fortification in India, mentioning concerns regarding food fortification, and suggest measures for ensuring balanced and evidence-based nutritional interventions in India.
Conclusion: Emphasis on a diversified, accountable, and evidence-based nutritional framework is essential to ensure balanced and inclusive nutrition interventions in India.