Government Temporarily Suspends Rice Fortification Under PMGKAY Over Nutrient Stability Concerns

The Indian government has temporarily suspended rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and related welfare schemes due to concerns over nutrient degradation during prolonged storage. A study by IIT Kharagpur found that factors like moisture, temperature, and packaging affect the stability and shelf life of fortified rice, leading to reduced micronutrient levels. The suspension will remain until a more effective nutrient delivery method is developed, with no impact on foodgrain entitlements or ongoing welfare operations.