The Union government’s recent initiative to distribute subsidised iron-fortified rice to Adivasis, or indigenous populations, has come under scrutiny. The groups in question are genetically prone to conditions such as sickle-cell anaemia and thalassemia, and some scientists suggest that this fortified rice may do more harm than good.
Definition and Purpose of Food Fortification
Fortification is a process where key vitamins and minerals like iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A and D are added to staple foods, including rice, milk and salt. This is done to enhance their nutritional content, regardless of whether these nutrients were originally present before processing.
In the case of rice, the Food Ministry advocates fortification as a cost-effective way to increase vitamin and mineral content in diets. As per the FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice should contain specified amounts of iron, folic acid, vitamin B-12, and other micronutrients.
Why India Needs Food Fortification
India suffers from high levels of malnutrition among women and children. With every second woman being anemic and every third child stunted, the country has fallen to 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021. Accordingly, “hidden hunger”, or micronutrient malnutrition, poses a serious health risk. Rice is a staple for about two-thirds of the Indian population, making it a practical option for fortification to supplement the inadequate diets of the poor.
Potential Problems with Rice Fortification
On one hand, there’s no conclusive evidence supporting fortification, raising concerns regarding its efficiency. Studies FSSAI uses to advocate fortification are often sponsored by food companies with vested interests, creating potential conflicts of interest.
Moreover, several studies suggest that anaemia and vitamin A deficiencies are overdiagnosed. This could lead to hypervitaminosis, a condition characterized by abnormally high storage levels of vitamins causing a variety of symptoms, from over excitability and irritability to toxicity.
Toxicity Issues and Cartelisation
Another major issue is that chemical fortification doesn’t necessarily permit optimal nutrient absorption as vitamins and minerals need each other to work effectively. The cause of undernourishment in India is often linked to diets low in vegetables and animal protein. Therefore, simply adding synthetic vitamins and minerals might not solve this larger problem and could even lead to toxicity. A study conducted in 2010 found iron fortification causing gut inflammation and pathogenic gut microbiota profile in undernourished children.
In addition, mandatory fortification could jeopardize the informal economy of Indian farmers and local mills, shifting the benefit to multinational corporations who would dominate a Rs.3,000 crore market.
The Value of Natural Food and the Right to Informed Choices
Experts argue that dietary diversity is a healthier and more cost-effective way to combat malnutrition. Once iron-fortified rice is portrayed as an anaemia remedy, the value of naturally iron-rich foods like millets, green leafy vegetables, and liver might be diminished.
The right to know what one is consuming is a fundamental right, and advocates argue that in the case of rice fortification, informed consent has not been sought from the recipients. Precision is needed because excessive intake of any nutrient can do harm. Thus, universal fortification might not be the ultimate solution for nutrition deficiencies.
