Question : Universal Fortification of Staple Food

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering universal fortification of all staple food items to address malnutrition problem in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Group of Secretaries working on health and education has also made any recommendation/proposal in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the expected timelines for the specific delivery of this project; and

(d) the further measures taken by the Government to address the issue of malnutrition in the country?

THE MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) The Ministry has constituted a Committee to suggest formulation of comprehensive policy and draft legislation / regulation on Food Fortification under the Chairpersonship of Director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad. A Consultation Meeting has also been held recently with stakeholders to evolve a comprehensive policy and draft legislation / regulation on micronutrient fortification.

(b&c) Yes, Madam. Group of Secretaries on “Education & Health – Universal Access and Quality” has, inter-alia, identified Fortification of staple food like rice, wheat, edible oil and milk with iron folic acid and vitamin-A with a timeline of 3 years as one of the measures.

(d) The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through State Governments/UT Administrations to address one or other aspect related to Nutrition. This Ministry is implementing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)–‘Sabla’, and Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition among women and children.

Additionally, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Ministry, through its 43 regional field units, is engaged in conducting training programmes in nutrition, in addition to advocacy towards generating awareness through nutrition education programmes on the importance of healthy balanced diets especially through the use of locally available foods, mass awareness campaigns and use of electronic and print media.

The main aim of all these activities is to improve nutritional outcomes and bring down the level of malnutrition in the country especially amongst women and children.
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