Food fortification: Task force formed to frame regulations

NEW DELHI: The government has constituted a task force to frame regulations on food fortification to combat malnutrition, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"A consultation with stakeholders was held to evolve a comprehensive policy including draft regulations on micro-nutrient fortification. A taskforce is constituted for recommending actions/regulations on food fortifications," Union minister Maneka Gandhi said in a written reply.

She said food fortification was already being done in some states and UTs, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

"Further, fortified food is also given under Integrated Child Development Services ( ICDS) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana," she said.

The ministry had also held deliberations with other government departments and organisations on current micro-nutrient deficiency situation in the country, the global scenario and various strategies to address the issue.

It focused on deficiencies related to iron, vitamins, iodine and folic acid.