Mains issueGS-2Editorials27 October 2026

Leveraging Food Fortification for Anaemia Control: Challenges and Way Forward

An aspirant should be able to argue that while Double Fortified Salt (DFS) offers a highly effective and cost-efficient solution to India's pervasive anaemia challenge, its successful nationwide scale-up critically depends on overcoming institutional barriers through stronger policy commitment, dedicated financing, and robust integration into existing public health and welfare systems.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

The recent launch of the revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy provides renewed momentum to strengthen India's anaemia response, making the underutilised Double Fortified Salt (DFS) a critical intervention for discussion and accelerated nationwide adoption.

Core issue

Anaemia remains a significant public health challenge in India, affecting over half of women and three-fourths of children, leading to severe health and economic consequences. While the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy adopts a comprehensive approach, Double Fortified Salt (DFS) – fortified with iodine and iron – is an underutilised, highly effective, and cost-efficient preventive intervention. Despite its proven benefits, existing FSSAI standards, and mandatory inclusion in some schemes, its wider adoption is hindered by institutional barriers like uneven integration into the Public Distribution System (PDS), lack of dedicated financing, and insufficient consumer awareness, rather than technical limitations. Scaling DFS nationally, building on the success of Universal Salt Iodisation, is crucial for achieving AMB goals and can serve as a global model.

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