The National Food Authority will distribute iron-fortified rice to all Bigasang Bayan outlets in Negros Occidental beginning this week, the NFA said in a press release.

Provincial Manager Gil Ibarra said that they will release 38,000 bags of iron-fortified rice this year, 15,000 bags of which will be shipped to the province next week.

It will be sold at P16.50 per kilo to Bigasang Bayan/retail outlets and P18 per kilo to consumers, the press release said. Ibarra said this is part of the implementation of the Republic Act 8976 or the Philippine Food Fortification Act 2000 that provides for mandatory fortification of rice and other staples like sugar, cooking oil and flour with Vitamin A and Iron.

The Food Fortification Program seeks to increase dietary intake of Vitamin A, Iron, and Iodine equivalent to 50 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance contributed by fortified foods.

Iron-fortified rice, made from blending milled-rice with iron premix that can be cooked like ordinary rice, will help build healthy red blood cells, prevent anemia, improve physical and mental performance and strengthen the body against inspection if consumed regularly, the press release said.*

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