Awareness programme on fortified rice held in Tuensang

DIMAPUR — A one-day awareness programme on fortified rice was organised on Thursday at the CKS conference hall, Tuensang, by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Tuensang.

The state technical officer from PATH, Shan Ezung, spoke on the occasion on the importance of fortification of rice and stated that fortified rice contains micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

He noted that fortified rice is not plastic rice but ‘kernels’ (FRK) produced using exertion technology, which is mixed in normal rice through blending at a ratio of 1:100 to tackle malnutrition as well as anaemia. He also highlighted that fortified rice is being used in ICDS, MDM/PM Poshan, and PDS.

He went on to say that all fortified items are labelled with the plus F logo and that children’s intake of fortified rice during the mid-day meal is the same as regular rice, which looks like regular rice and has no distinct smell or taste.

During the programme, the welcome note was delivered by Sentitemsu Longkumer, assistant director, Food & Civil Supplies, Tuensang.

Participants in the programme included fair-price shop owners, ward chairmen, village chairmen, and civil societies from Tuensang town.

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