Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has confirmed the temporary halt to the iron fortification scheme of the National Food Authority (NFA).

In a telephone interview early Thursday, Alcala said iron fortified rice (IFR) “is not that inviting to consumers.” He added that NFA administrator Lito Banayo told him that many retailers had complained that buyers “want polished rice and they think that IFR is not polished rice.”

Alcala said that “medyo hesitant ang mga mamimili. Inaalis nila ang iron (Buyers are a bit hesitant. They wean the iron away from the rice).”

The agriculture secretary said “it would actually be better if unpolished organic rice is promoted since it naturally contains iron.”

Alcala is an advocate of organic farming even as he battles for the shift from hybrid rice seeds to the use of certified seeds, which can increase output by 15 percent.

Certified seeds enjoy the advantage of not being location- and climate-specific like the hybrid rice seeds developed in Hainan, China.

However, Alcala admitted that consumers really do not have enough information about the iron content of IFR and this is where NFA must work harder.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) had batted for the continuation of the IFR program since it has contributed significantly to the reduction of iron deficiency among public school pupils.

IFR is also needed by millions of nursing mothers.

Herculano “Joji” Co, president of the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains), was also surprised by the scrapping of the IFR program since Republic Act No. 8976 mandates it.

His company has been producing IFR for years.

IFR is also needed by millions of nursing mothers.

Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the NNC have shown an improvement of the health of pupils who consume IFR under the Food for School Program (FSP).