Food Department to examine the possibility of supplying DFS through PDS
Ministries of Women and Child Development and Health to launch media campaign
The Union government will promote the use of iron fortified iodised salt (double fortified salt) to battle anaemia, one of the major causes of malnutrition, particularly among women and children.
To begin with, the Ministries dealing with food and nutrition programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services and midday meal will make the use of double fortified salt (DFS) mandatory. The Department of Food and Public Distribution will also examine the possibility of supplying DFS through the Public Distribution System. A major mass media campaign will be taken up to promote its use by the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Health & Family Welfare.
To increase supply
These decisions were taken at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. The communication campaign and DFS use in government programmes should be associated with efforts to increase its supply, it was felt. The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion will work with private industry and cooperatives to promote DFS manufacture as well as explore a scheme to promote capital investment and technology upgrade so that the installed capacity for producing iron fortified iodised salt is stepped up.
To promote DFS
The Departments of Health and Family Welfare and Health Research will take measures for promoting DFS use including advising the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development, and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on use of DFS in government programmes.
The government could also encourage salt manufacturers to invest in technology by making a clear policy statement on its intent to promote DFS.
Major challenge
The meeting noted that the wide prevalence of anaemia is a major public health challenge and should be tackled urgently.
Anaemia is caused by inadequate intake and poor absorption of iron. It can be prevented and cured by promoting consumption of iron rich foods and iron supplements. One cost-effective way of increasing iron intake is fortification of salt with iron in addition to iodine.