An unhealthy nutrition policy

Globally, scientific studies have shown that fortification programmes lead to increased market share for larger formal players, and reduce market share of the informal sector

On Independence Day, the prime minister made a grand announcement that iron fortified rice will be supplied through all state food schemes by 2024. Staples like rice, wheat, edible oil, milk and salt are all slated for mandatory fortification. Widespread nutritional deficiencies are being cited as the key reason behind such a move, especially iron deficiency or anaemia, which is being used as the peg to justify such a drastic and expensive overhaul of our food programmes, markets, and food cultures. As doctors engaged in public health policy for decades, we are, however, deeply concerned that this move won’t solve