(a) whether in the absence of food fortification programme, a large part of population have been affected with serious health disorder like anaemia, night blindness etc.;
(b) whether there is no legislation on food fortification;
(c) if so, whether the Government feels it necessary to adopt a policy of fortifying foods like Atta, Cereal etc. and selling it at subsidized rates through Public Distribution
System; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN)
(a) & (b): No, Sir. However, to control micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in the
country the Government is implementing programme with strategies of supplementing,
fortification and dietary diversification. Under prevention of Food Adulteration Rules 1955,
standards of iodised salt and iron fortified salt have been laid down.
(c) & (d): So far as distribution of fortified atta instead of wheat under Targeted Public
Distribution System (TPDS) at country level is concerned, it is opertionally not feasible
because of very short shelf-life of the product and long chain of distribution. Besides,
only a small part of wheat/wheat product for consumption of the country`s population is in
the central pool. Further atta is only popular in northern States of the country. Some State
Governments have been distributing atta under PDS depending upon local preferences.