In order to fight anemia in the country, the head of the National Health Institute (INS) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Hans Vásquez Soplopuco, reported that rice will be fortified as a strategy to prevent anemia and chronic malnutrition, especially in children under five years of age and in women of childbearing age.
“He explained that this important step in the fight against childhood anemia and chronic malnutrition is given thanks to the approval of a Ministerial Resolution of Minsa, of the Certificates of Approval of Fortified Rice.”, said El Peruano on Tuesday.
Vásquez said that the improvement of this product of mass consumption in Peru will reduce anemia and improve iron levels in children under five years, without changing their eating habits, their taste, or causing damage to health.
The formula for the fortified rice was developed by the National Center for Food and Nutrition (Cenan) of the INS. It contains ten micronutrients and is composed of vitamin A, B1, B3, B6, B12, D, E, folic acid, iron and zinc.
The rice will be able to be purchased with special tokens in order to ensure the opportunity, quality and transparency in the process all over the country.
“The approval turns out to be an important tool for purchasing processes in local and regional governments, thus initiating the implementation process of acquisition of fortified rice for social programs and other purchases of the Peruvian Government,” Vásquez added.
