About Rice fortification:
- Fortification is the process of adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), containing FSSAI prescribed micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) to normal Rice in the ratio of 1:100 (Mixing 1 Kg of FRK with 100 Kg custom milled rice).
- Fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. This process is done in the rice mills at the time of milling of rice.
- Fortification of rice is found to be a cost-effective and complementary strategy to increase vitamin and mineral content in diets with low turnaround time (TAT) and a step towards nutritional security.
Background:
- On 15 August 2021, when Prime Minister on India announced that over 80 crore people will be fed rice fortified with iron and vitamins to combat rising cases of anaemia and other micronutrient deficiency diseases.
About Anemia:
- Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
- Symptoms: Possible symptoms of anemia include Tiredness, Weakness, Shortness of breath, Irregular heartbeat, Chest pain, Cold hands and feet etc.
- Causes of anemia: Different types of anemia have different causes. They include:
- Iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin deficiency anemia, Anemia of inflammation, Sickle cell anemia, Hemolytic anemias, Aplastic anemia.
- Prevention:
- Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But eating a healthy diet might prevent iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias. A healthy diet includes: Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, Folate etc.
