‘Iron fortified rice can address increasing anemia’

The rising incidence of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) in the Ilocos Region can be addressed by adding iron-fortified rice to the local diet, The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) said.

IDA is a shortage of red blood cells (hemoglobin) in the body, and is commonly caused when the body’s own store of iron (in the liver) is used up due to the consumption of foods lacking in iron over a period of time.