The FSSAI has released a press note dated 14 February 2017 which states that the FSSAI has constituted a scientific panel on Food Fortification and Nutrition as part of their effort to address the nutritional gap in the Indian population. Some of the eminent experts and scientists on the Scientific Panel are Dr. Ambrish Mithal from Medanta, Dr C. S. Pandav and Major General (Dr) R. K. Marwaha (Retd) from AIIMS, Dr Anura Kurpad from St. John’s Medical College, Dr Yogeshwar Shukla from CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Prof. H. P. S. Sachdev from Sita Ram Bharatia Institute of Science and Research, Dr K. M. Nair from National Institute of Nutrition, Dr P. Ramachandran from Nutrition Foundation of India, Dr Sumit Arora from National Dairy Research Institute, Dr Sirimavo Nair from the MS University, Baroda, and Prof. Harsulkar from Bharati Vidyapeeth.
The Scientific Panel will help to
- identify critical nutritional gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as in specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence
- define strategies to address nutritional needs of the general population and vulnerable groups
- review the standards for all suitable food fortifying vehicles, in addition to the healthy dietary intake of Fat, Sugar & Salt
- address regulatory and related technological issues
- review proposals from industry using modern risk assessment methods
- prescribe standard sampling and test methods for effective monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the relevant regulations
Others who will work with the Scientific Panel on Food Fortification and Nutrition are members from Scientific Panels dealing with fortification of food such as wheat flour, refined flour, rice, milk, edible oil and salt, Ministries of Women & Child Development and Health & Family Welfare Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Micronutrient malnutrition disorders can be found in all groups of the population in India. Among school children iron deficiency anaemia and sub-clinical Vitamin A deficiency are prevalent. Iodine deficiency is endemic and folate deficiency which leads to Neural Tube Defects (NTDS) is found in 0.5-8/1000 births. These deficiencies are preventable and FSSAI anticipates that an effective regulatory mechanism ensuring food safety and quality along with the continuous support of the Government and programme partners, stakeholders and the consumers, the problem of malnutrition in general and micronutrient malnutrition in particular would be overcome soon.
To this end the FSSAI has already drafted and operationalized the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulations, 2016 which the Scientific Panel will finalise. As a consequence of the National Summit for Food Fortification held in October 2016 the FSSAI launched the Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) to promote large-scale fortification of food across India. An online portal of FFRC created to facilitate food businesses and bring fortified foods into Government programmes was launched on November 17, 2016 in the presence of Mr Bill Gates.
FSSAI has also jointly convened four Zonal Consultations for States/UTs; for Northern region at Delhi, Western region at Bhopal, Eastern region at Bhubaneswar, Southern region at Bengaluru with Ministry of Women and Child Development, other development partners such as Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), World Food Programme (WFP), Micronutrient Initiative (MI) and continued engagement with staple food manufacturers. A fifth Consultation for the North Eastern region is scheduled for February 15, 2017 at Guwahati.
FSSAI has also unveiled a logo for fortified foods which several food businesses have already begun to use. The logo comprises of a square encompassing an F with a‘+’ sign with a ring around it which signifies the addition of extra nutrition and vitamins to daily meals to provide good health, protection and an active life.
Leave a Reply