India, Jan. 9 -- India has closed the calorie gap in battling malnutrition, yet essential micronutrients like iron, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid, and others remain neglected. The paradox is striking: People may appear well-fed or overweight but suffer from "hidden hunger" - micronutrient malnutrition quietly eroding the health, productivity, and potential of millions. Millions of Indians endure fatigue and ill health from deficiencies of iron, iodine, vitamin A, D, B12, folic acid, and zinc. These gaps weaken immunity, stunt growth, impair cognition, and fuel chronic ailments, sometimes leading to premature disease and death.

Studies reveal rampant deficiencies across rural and urban India, affecting over half the population. Causes in...