Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar has stated that the Andhra Pradesh government has conducted strict checks on the fortified rice supply under key national welfare schemes. The Minister answered the question of MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary during Question Hour in the AP Legislative Assembly, saying that the Union government has made the use of fortified Mandatory under schemes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day meal (MDM) and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Ratio of fortified rice kernels (FRK) and normal rice, and the further process
While explaining the ratio of FRK and normal rice, which is a 1:100 ratio during custom milling. Each Batch of FRKs undergoes mandatory testing in FSSAI-notified and NABL-accredited laboratories, whereas the Andhra Pradesh state civil supplies corporation conducts additional verification to ensure the quality standards.
He emphasised that strict testing protocols in NABL-certified labs ensure the nutritional quality and safety of fortified rice supplied in the state. Furthermore, he informed the House that 25 per cent of procurement has been reserved for local MSME manufacturers through the APSSCSL. While adding that tenders already issued had been cancelled in line with the latest Union government Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Additionally, fresh tenders were being issued for the Kharif 2025–26 season. Lastly, the minister assured that the state government would provide full support to local FRK industries under the MSME policy.
What is Fortified rice?
It is a kind of standard rice that carries micronutrients like iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, which is added further to enhance public health by decreasing widespread nutrient deficiency, particularly anaemia and neural tube defects.
Fortified Rice is created by blending FRKs, which are rice-shaped structures made out of rice flour and nutrients, with regular, unfortified rice. This is the cost-effective way to deliver these essential vitamins and minerals to rice-consuming populations.