Government Temporarily Suspends Rice Fortification Scheme Citing IIT Study

The Union Food Ministry has temporarily suspended the rice fortification scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, citing an IIT Kharagpur study that found nutrient levels in fortified rice decline due to storage conditions, reducing its effectiveness. The government emphasized that foodgrain entitlements and other welfare operations remain unaffected. Civil society groups welcomed the suspension, questioning the scientific validity and safety of fortification as a solution to anaemia.