State-run food company dismisses rumours about fortified rice
Summary
The state-run Food Management and Trading Company in Nepal has dismissed rumours about its fortified rice, which is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to combat malnutrition, especially in Karnali province and other areas.
Key Points
- The Food Management and Trading Company is fortifying rice with essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, and folic acid at five locations across Nepal.
- Rumours claiming that the fortified rice tastes different or contains plastics have been dismissed by the company.
- Malnutrition remains a significant health crisis in Nepal, with stunting among children under five reduced from 57% in 2001 to 25% in 2022 but wasting and micronutrient deficiencies persisting.
- The government aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals related to reducing stunting, wasting, underweight conditions, and anaemia by 2030 through measures including rice fortification.
