Question : FORTIFICATION OF FOOD

(a) whether the Government propose to provide techno-commercial assistance for fortification of food;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the efforts made by the Department in popularising fortified food;

(d) whether any support from international agencies is available for food fortification;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Department propose to make food fortification mandatory for certain sectors of industry; and

(g) if so, the details thereof alongwith the details of industries selected for the purpose?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES ( SHRI TH. CHAOBA SINGH )


(a) & (b): Financial assistance is provided under the plan schemes of the Department for research and development work in the processed food sector including fortification of foods. Technical assistance is also made available to the prospective entrepreneurs with the help of national institutions like Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore and National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.


(c): The Department has organised a number of seminars/conferences to popularize fortified foods. The Department has initiated awareness campaign through Television spots and short films.


(d) & (e): As per the information available, no financial assistance is available from international organizations like Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization and UNICEF for food fortification. However, certain micro-nutrients – mal-nutrition amelioration programmes are being implemented in some States by an international Non-Governmental Organization (Micro nutrient Initiative).


(f) & (g): The National Nutrition Policy provides that essential food items shall be fortified through appropriate nutrients. It provides that micro nutrient deficiencies viz., deficiencies of vitamin A, Iron and Folic Acid and Iodine among children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, shall be controlled through intensified programmes.