In just 3 years, FCI returned 26,000 MT fortified rice to Punjab
By Vinod Kumar
A total of 25,978.5 metric tonnes of fortified rice from Punjab was declared beyond the rejection limit or returned by the Food Corporation of India during the last three marketing seasons, according to a reply shared in the Lok Sabha.
Fortified rice is regular rice enriched with essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 to address malnutrition.
The Centre is implementing a nationwide mandate to supply fortified rice through targeted public distribution system, PM POSHAN and other welfare schemes to address micronutrient deficiencies, including iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. The universal supply of fortified rice through all govt schemes will continue until Dec 2028.
In a reply in the Lok Sabha, the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution shared details in response to a question by the SAD MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal. According to the reply, 15,660 metric tonnes of fortified rice from Punjab was declared beyond the rejection limit in 2022–23. The quantity stood at 5,939.5 metric tonnes in 2023–24, and 4,379 metric tonnes in 2024–25. As per existing guidelines, stock found to be beyond the rejection limit during quality assessment is required to be replaced by the rice agencies or rice millers concerned at their own risk and cost.
Responding to concerns regarding operational and financial difficulties faced by rice shellers and millers in Punjab due to compulsory blending of fortified rice kernels, the ministry stated that approximately 20 LMT of fortified rice was procured in Punjab during KMS 2025–26.
The reply noted that under the revised system, quality testing of fortified rice kernels is now conducted at the procurement stage. Earlier, rice millers and shellers were largely responsible for ensuring FRK quality and faced the risk that fortified rice lots were affected if samples failed at a later stage. The current system reduced overall compliance burden on shellers and rice millers and streamlined operations.
The ministry also informed that based on feedback received from states and field implementations, FRK testing and quality assurance procedures were reviewed and streamlined through the issuance of a standard operating procedure on July 29, 2025, which was further amended on Dec 6, 2025. These revisions strengthen end-to-end testing and oversight to ensure that only quality fortified rice kernels are blended with conventional rice, so that the produced fortified rice meets the notified standards of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and protects public health objectives. The revised procedures also address operational issues to enable smoother implementation for rice millers and rice shelling units.
This article has been republished from The Times of India.