Rice fortification (FRK) is a cost effective, culturally appropriate strategy to address micronutrient deficiency in countries with high per capita rice consumption. The cost of fortification is determined by a multitude of context specific variables such as the structure and capacity of the rice industry, the complexity of the supply chain, the policy and regulatory environment and the scale of the relevant programme.

Fortifying rice makes it more nutritious by adding vitamins and minerals in the post – harvest phase; many of which are lost during the milling and polishing process. Rice fortification may be considered as having the highest potential to fill the gap in current staple food fortification programs as it is the staple food of 65 percent of the Indian population and reaches the most vulnerable and poorer section – with the highest uptake in the government safety net programmes .The food and civil supplies department of each state empanels a number of rice millers in each district for regular supply of rice to the FCI, from which it is distributed to the social safety net schemes.

Standards

In extrusion technology, milled rice is pulverized and mixed with a premix containing vitamins and minerals. Fortified (FRK) rice kernels  are produced from this mixture using an extruder machine. The kernels resemble rice grains. FRK is added to non-fortified rice in ratio ranging from 1:50 to 1: 200 (ideal being 1:100) resulting in fortified rice nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. It is then distributed for regular consumption.

The cost of fortification (FRK) is determined by a multitude of context specific variables such as the structure and capacity of the rice industry, the complexity of the supply chain, the policy and regulatory environment and the scale of the relevant programme.

ice fortified with the fortificant mix by dusting; or coated or extruded fortified kernels mixed with non-fortified (FRK) rice in a ratio varying between 0.5%-2% is fortified rice.

Rice fortification (FRK) is a cost effective, culturally appropriate strategy to address micronutrient deficiency in countries with high per capita rice consumption. India is a leading rice producing country, with 22% of the total global rice production and 65% of India’s population consumes rice on a daily basis. The per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kilogram per month. Fortification (FRK) of rice makes it more nutritious by adding vitamins and minerals, many of which are lost during the milling and polishing process.

Rice can be fortified (FRK) using dusting, coating or extrusion technology. Extrusion is the preferred technology for rice fortification (FRK) given the stability of micronutrients in the rice kernels across processing, storage, washing and cooking, also in view of cost considerations.

Technology

Rice can be fortified using dusting, coating or extrusion technology. Extrusion is the technology of choice for rice fortification (FRK) given the stability of micronutrients in the rice kernels across processing, storage, washing and cooking, also in view of cost considerations.

In extrusion technology, milled broken rice is pulverized and mixed with a premix containing vitamins and minerals. Fortified (FRK) rice kernels  are produced from this mixture using an extruder machine. The kernels resemble rice grains. FRK is added to non-fortified rice in ratio ranging from 1:50 to 1: 200 (ideal is 1:100) resulting in fortified rice nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. It is then distributed for regular consumption.

The cost of fortification (FRK) is determined by a multitude of context specific variables such as the structure and capacity of the rice industry, the complexity of the supply chain, the policy and regulatory environment and the scale of the relevant programme. A typical low cost -150 kgs per hour- twin screw extruder with all ancillary equipment costs 35 – 40 lakhs INR upwards. A good quality extrusion line may cost up to 13.5 crore INR. Utility costs like purified water plant, steam generator, air compressor and packaging lines are not included here. The retail price increase for fortified rice ranges from an additional 1% to 10%. As rice fortification expands, production and distribution achieve economies of scale, costs are expected to reduce. Fortifying (FRK) rice is cost-effective; the additional cost to the consumer inclusive of all associated costs is INR 0.45 per kg depending on the nutrients added.