Fortified rice kernels are rice grains enriched with a mix of vitamins and minerals to address micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in populations that rely heavily on rice as a staple food. These kernels are produced through a process called extrusion, which involves blending a nutrient mixture with rice flour and shaping the blend into rice-like kernels. Once produced, the fortified kernels are mixed with regular rice at a ratio of 0.5-2%. This method is considered the most robust for rice fortification and can be applied to any rice variety. The fortified rice kernels can also be customized in terms of shape, size, and colour to create food products with broad appeal.
Micronutrients deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including anaemia, impaired immune function, and developmental delays in children. Fortification of rice with essential micronutrients is a cost-effective and sustainable way to improve the nutritional status of populations, and it has been endorsed by organizations such as the FSSAI, WFP, World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).