Strengthening the fight against hidden hunger begins with awareness—and leadership at the last mile. Reinforcing this belief, Millers for Nutrition, powered by TechnoServe, in association with Hanumanta Foods, successfully hosted a Regional Workshop on Wheat Flour Fortification on 19 January 2026 in Durgapur, West Bengal.

The workshop focused on building awareness and strengthening retailer leadership around wheat flour fortification—recognizing retailers and distributors as critical influencers in driving informed consumer choices and expanding access to fortified staples.

The event was graced by Suneeti Toteja, Senior Director and Head, Food & Agriculture Department, Bureau of Indian Standards, as the Chief Guest, and Payel Maji, former Assistant Director (Technical), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – Eastern Region, as the Guest of Honour. Both speakers underscored the critical role of food fortification in addressing micronutrient deficiencies and emphasized the importance of compliance, quality, and consumer trust in fortified foods.

The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from over 350 wheat flour distributors and retailers from across West Bengal. Through interactive sessions and practical insights, participants were sensitized to the health benefits of wheat flour fortification, regulatory standards, and their role in promoting fortified products within their communities.

At Millers for Nutrition, we remain committed to strengthening the food system by building awareness, fostering collaboration, and enabling market-led solutions that improve nutrition outcomes. By empowering retailers and distributors with knowledge and leadership, we move one step closer to ensuring that fortified wheat flour reaches millions of households.

Together, we can shape a healthier, more nourished future—one fortified meal at a time.

TechnoServe Indonesia, in partnership with Indonesia’s Rice Millers and Traders Association (PERPADI), successfully held three Sector-Wide Training (SWT) sessions on Rice Fortification.

These trainings took place in three cities—Yogyakarta, Malang, and Jakarta—over October and November 2025. The sessions covered technical materials on the production of fortified rice and fortified rice kernels (FRK), including premix, extrusion, blending processes, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC).

The training also highlighted the importance of rice fortification in Indonesia, existing regulations, and the business opportunities available to Indonesian millers.

Experts from Millers for Nutrition’s Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs), including Buhler AG, dsm-firmenich, and Hexagon Nutrition, presented during the sessions. We also featured Indonesian fortified rice producers and FRK manufacturers who shared their experiences and challenges.

Over 100 millers participated in this training.

Initiative brings together government, experts, and millers to strengthen nutrition security and expand access to fortified rice and wheat flour across the state

In a major step toward tackling malnutrition and hidden hunger, Millers for Nutrition, powered by TechnoServe, today brought together millers, nutrition experts, government officials, and industry leaders at Peerless Hotel, Esplanade, Kolkata for the launch of five new fortified food brands. In continuation of the series of national events themed “Unlocking Market Potential: Advancing Fortified Staple Foods” this event in Kolkata underscored how food fortification can significantly improve nutrition outcomes for families across the state.

Senior representatives from the Food and Civil Supplies Department – Government of West Bengal, FSSAI Eastern Region, and the Food Corporation of India attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Rizwan Yusufali, Global Program Director, Millers for Nutrition, said, “Malnutrition remains one of India’s most urgent public health concerns. Fortified staple foods offer a simple, proven way to improve nutrition at scale. The launch of five fortified brands in West Bengal shows what is possible when millers, government, and partners come together with a shared mission. This collaboration is a meaningful step toward building a healthier and more nutrition-secure West Bengal.”

“Strengthening food processing capabilities is essential for scaling fortification effectively. Today’s progress in West Bengal shows how the food processing industry can lead the way in ensuring that safe, fortified, and high-quality foods reach every household,” added Dominic Schofield, Senior Director – Agri Food Systems, TechnoServe.

At the event, five fortified brands were officially introduced to consumers in West Bengal. KPS Agro Products launched its KPS Kitchen King Fortified Atta, reaffirming its commitment to providing safe and nutritious wheat flour. Gitakshi Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. introduced Gitakshi Fortified Rice, developed through modern milling practices and guided by the Agarwal family’s focus on quality and nutrition. Jasmine Rice Mill unveiled KPS Kitchen King Fortified Rice, highlighting its efforts to improve access to healthier rice for local households. Hanumanta Food Products Pvt. Ltd. launched Hanumanta Fortified Atta, expanding its existing range of Atta, Maida, Sooji, and Pasta. Bagaria Foods LLP presented fortified Atta offerings under its well-known Royal brand, giving consumers more nutritious options in their daily food choices.

These launches are expected to play a vital role in addressing anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, which have remained persistent challenges in the state, especially among women and children. The discussions held during the event also highlighted how fortified foods can strengthen school meal programs, public distribution systems, and the commercial retail market.

As West Bengal advances its fight against hidden hunger, Millers for Nutrition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting millers with technical assistance, training, and market guidance to make fortified foods a mainstream reality for every household.

TechnoServe, a global non-profit organization active in nearly 30 countries, is implementing the Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) program to promote large-scale food fortification.   TechnoServe has launched a groundbreaking initiative to establish Model Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) units equipped with Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) and ISO 22000 certification to enhance and sustain the quality of fortified rice kernels supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The project led by Abhishek Shukla, Country Program Manager – IGNITE India, envisions establishing six model FRK units in its initial phase, namely AJ Industries (Raipur), Creative Nutrition (Hyderabad), Shri Poornima Agro (Lucknow), Fortfit Food (Kolkata), Gandhi FRK (Fatehpur), and SVHG Agri Solutions LLP (Sangareddy). These units will serve as benchmarks, providing a platform for nearby FRK manufacturers, Centers of Excellence (CoEs), Technical Support Units (TSUs), and government delegations to visit, learn, and adopt international best practices in fortification, FRK manufacturing, food safety, and quality. As more FRK units join this journey, the impact will continue to grow — building trust, improving nutrition, and ensuring safer food for all.

Survey Insights and Challenges Identified (GAP Assessment)

A detailed survey across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana identified six key sites for the establishment of model units. The survey highlighted critical challenges such as:

1. Infrastructure & Facility Management

• Inadequate infrastructure and storage conditions
• Gaps in maintenance and cleanliness
• Poor ventilation, lighting, and temperature control affecting product safety
• Lack of proper waste disposal leading to cross-contamination risks

2. Hygiene & Sanitation

• Weak hygiene, sanitation, and pest management practices
• Limited awareness of personal hygiene protocols
• Absence of proper cleaning schedules and monitoring systems
• Inadequate training on food safety practices for workers

3. Systems & Process Control

• Insufficient implementation of documented systems
• Lack of control at critical points increases wastage and chances of defective batches
• No proper traceability or recall system in case of defective products
• Inconsistent calibration and maintenance of equipment leading to quality variations

4. Product Quality & Compliance

• Fortified kernels may have inconsistent nutrient levels and higher chances of contamination
• Variation in product appearance (size, shape, color) leading to consumer rejection
• Reduced shelf life and stability of fortified kernels due to poor handling
• Non-compliance can lead to audit failures, regulatory penalties, and loss of buyer trust

Addressing these areas is central to ensuring both the nutritional value and safety of fortified rice.

Building Capacity and Food Safety Culture

To strengthen systems sustainably, training programs are being conducted for employees at all units. These sessions focus on:

B

Building Capacity

• Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each critical process step.
• Process validation to ensure consistent and safe FRK production.
• HACCP-based manufacturing process streamlining through structured training and documentation.
• Identification and implementation of Critical Control Points (CCPs), Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRPs), and Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) to improve and sustain product quality.
• Establishing traceability and documentation systems for raw material to finished product.
• Periodic audits and mock drills (e.g., product recall exercises) to test system readiness.
• Capacity building of quality control teams with modern tools and testing methods.
• Regular training programs for workers, supervisors, and management on GMP, HACCP, and FSMS.
• Engagement with external experts and regulatory bodies for continuous learning.

Fostering Food Safety Culture

• Leadership commitment – management leading by example in prioritizing food safety.
• Promoting accountability at all levels – every worker responsible for hygiene and safety.
• Encouraging reporting of issues without fear of blame to ensure proactive problem-solving.
• Displaying food safety awareness posters and visual reminders across the unit.
• Recognition and reward systems for staff adhering to good food safety practices.
• Building a “safety-first mindset” where product quality and consumer health take precedence over speed or cost.

Such capacity building ensures that food safety becomes part of the organization’s culture, not just a compliance requirement.

FSMS and ISO 22000 Implementation

Through Normes Decodees’ expertise in consulting, auditing, and training, FRK units are being guided to achieve ISO 22000 certification, creating a structured framework for:

• Hazard identification and risk control
• Consistent quality assurance across production
• Regulatory compliance at both national and international levels
• Increased consumer confidence and market credibility
• Enhanced efficiency through reduced waste and better process control
• Development of robust documentation and SOPs at different levels

Nutritional and Public Health Impact of FRK

By embedding Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) into day-to-day operations, fortified rice kernel production achieves long-term reliability, sustainability, and public health impact.

The adoption of fortified rice kernel under FSMS ensures:

1. Consistent Nutritional Value during production – Uniform enrichment with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to ensure reliable nutritional benefits
2. Improved Public Health Outcomes – Reduction in anemia and micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations.
3. Sustainable Health Gains – Strengthened immunity, cognitive growth, and overall well-being.
4. Cost-Effective Nutrition Delivery – A scalable, affordable approach without requiring dietary changes.
5. Stronger National Nutrition Programs – Supporting the Public Distribution System (PDS) and government-led initiatives.

ISO 22000-certified FRK units further safeguard nutrient stability and quality consistency through rigorous monitoring, validation, and control measures.

Vision for the Future

“The integration of FRK Manufacturing with ISO 22000 standards positions these Model FRK units as Centers of Excellence. These facilities not only demonstrate compliance and quality but also serve as models to inspire other FRK Units to adopt structured food safety practices”. says Abhishek Shukla, the driving force behind implementing robust Food Safety Management Systems in select FRK units across India’s major rice-producing states.

With continuous training, infrastructure strengthening, and robust FSMS adherence, the partnership between TechnoServe and Normes Decodees is driving a transformation of the fortified rice sector into a trusted, efficient, and sustainable industry.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing nutrition, food safety, and public health—paving the way for India’s fortified rice production to align with the highest global standards.