Government Temporarily Halts Rice Fortification Under PMGKAY, Cites Shelf Life Concerns
Rice Fortification Put on Hold Pending Improved Nutrient Delivery Mechanism
New Delhi, February 28: The government has decided to temporarily halt the fortification of rice distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and other welfare schemes, pending the development of a more robust and effective nutrient delivery mechanism.The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution reviewed the implementation of rice fortification across PMGKAY and related schemes before taking the decision. The move is described as a temporary measure and does not result in any reduction in food grain entitlements for beneficiaries.
Authorities clarified that operations under the Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Services, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme will continue without disruption.
IIT Kharagpur Study Flags Shelf Life and Micronutrient Stability Issues
As part of the review process, the government commissioned IIT Kharagpur to conduct a study assessing the shelf life of Fortified Rice Kernels and Fortified Rice under real storage conditions across diverse agro-climatic zones in India.The study found that multiple factors significantly influence the stability and shelf life of fortified rice. These include moisture content, storage conditions, temperature, relative humidity, and packaging material. According to the findings, fortified rice is susceptible to micronutrient reduction during prolonged storage and routine handling.
The report noted that this reduction in micronutrient levels shortens the effective shelf life of fortified rice, limiting the intended nutritional outcomes for beneficiaries.
Storage Duration and Central Pool Availability
Rice procured for welfare schemes often remains in storage for two to three years, considering procurement volumes and annual off-take patterns.Against an annual allocation of 372 lakh metric tonnes under PMGKAY and other welfare schemes, the total projected availability in the central pool stands at 674 lakh metric tonnes, including expected receipts from the Kharif Marketing Season 2025 to 26.
Transitional Flexibility for States and Union Territories
For KMS 2025 to 26 and pending receipts from KMS 2024 to 25, States and Union Territories have been granted flexibility as a transitional measure. They may supply either fortified rice or non-fortified rice, depending on operational and logistical considerations.The government stated that the temporary discontinuation of rice fortification will remain in place until a more effective system for nutrient delivery is identified and implemented, ensuring that the nutritional objectives of welfare schemes are met efficiently.
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