The government is moving forward with the rice fortification scheme, which will cost over Rs 17,000 crore. However, two members of the PM’s economic advisory council (EAC-PM) have raised concerns about the effectiveness of fortification in addressing anemia among women and children. They have cited consumption survey data to argue that fortification may not be the most effective solution.
Sanjeev Sanyal, an EAC-PM member and former principal economic advisor to the finance minister, recently questioned the large-scale food fortification strategy. He pointed out that the emphasis on fortification is influenced by international donors and NGOs, and highlighted the need for stronger evidence to support different types of fortification.
Shamika Ravi, another EAC-PM member, was involved in a study that analyzed household consumption survey data. The study found that the prevalence of anemia among children and women is linked to the lack of dietary diversity in iron sources. The analysis suggested that universal fortification of cereals may have limited impact on improving iron and zinc intake to reduce anemia in India.
Sanyal also raised concerns about the efficiency of spending thousands of crores on universal fortification of rice through various public distribution schemes. He noted that out of 18 studies on the impact of rice fortification on anemia, only four were from India and the results were inconclusive.
While international donors are reconsidering the emphasis on fortification, Sanyal and Ravi are not advocating for a complete withdrawal of fortification. Instead, they emphasize the need for stronger evidence to support different types of fortification strategies.
