A total of 37,000 bags of iron-fortified rice will be shipped to Negros Occidental this October, the National Food Authority Provincial Office said.

The shipment comprises the initial iron-fortified rice stocks that will be supplied to the province early this month, NFA Information Officer Grizelda Arceño told the DAILY STAR.

Arceño said the iron-fortified rice can be bought from accredited NFA retailers at P21 per kilo.

Food fortification is provided under Republic Act 8976 that calls for fortification of rice, flour, refined sugar and cooking oil to address the serious problem on micronutrient malnutrition, including Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine.

It is considered the most cost-effective and sustainable means to fight and eliminate micronutrient deficiency among Filipino children.

Aside from the NFA, ricer millers, importers and wholesalers/retailers are also responsible for fortifying rice. NFA, for its part, will locally produce iron-fortified rice using the technology developed and existing facilities and equipment. Part of the rice requirements imported by the agency are already fortified in the source country.

All rice millers, regardless of their milling capacities, are mandated to fortify their rice using the standard level of fortificant while importers of rice, except brown rice, shall be responsible for iron fortification of imported rice whether at the country of manufacture or upon arrival in the Philippines, before these are release for sale or distribution.

Wholesalers/retailers shall only sell while repackers shall only repack iron-fortified rice.

Studies conducted by the NFA, the Food Development Center and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute revealed that, both in laboratory and consumer testing, iron fortification has no effect on the taste and sensory characteristics of iron-fortified rice both on the raw and cooked fortified rice, the NFA said.*

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