The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new direction under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, regarding the re-operationalization of the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations with respect to the standards of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK).
The draft regulations were notified in the Gazette of India on 25th May 2022, and the provisions for FRK were operationalized on 23rd June 2022. However, the final notification of the regulations is likely to take more time for finalization and publication in the Gazette of India.
To strengthen the national-level fortification program and its implementation, the FSSAI has decided to re-operationalize the provisions for FRK, vitamin, and mineral premix for FRK, and rice flour used for making FRK as specified in the direction STD/FA/38/FSSAI dated 23rd June 2022 with effect from 23rd December 2022.
However, the provisions with respect to yeast and mold count and aerobic plate count parameters of “rice flour for preparation of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK)” stand withdrawn from the date of issue of this direction.
The new direction is aimed at promoting the fortification of rice, which is an important staple food in India, with essential vitamins and minerals. Fortified rice is expected to address the issue of malnutrition in the country, particularly among vulnerable populations such as women and children.
The FSSAI has been working towards promoting the fortification of food products in India as part of its efforts to improve the nutritional status of the population. The National Health Policy 2017 also recognizes the need to promote the fortification of food products as an effective strategy to address malnutrition.
Fortification is the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to food products to increase their nutritional value. Fortified foods have been found to be effective in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, which are widespread in developing countries such as India.
According to the World Health Organization, micronutrient deficiencies are a major public health problem in India, affecting large segments of the population, particularly women and children. Iron, iodine, and vitamin A are the most common micronutrients that are deficient in the Indian diet.
Fortification of rice with essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 can help address these deficiencies and improve the nutritional status of the population. Fortified rice can also help prevent the occurrence of anemia, a common health problem in India.
The FSSAI has been working with the rice industry to promote the fortification of rice in the country. The industry has responded positively to the initiative, and several rice mills have already started producing fortified rice.
The FSSAI has also developed a logo for fortified foods to enable consumers to identify and choose fortified products. The logo is expected to create awareness among consumers about the importance of fortified foods and encourage the food industry to produce more fortified products.
The FSSAI has also set up a Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) to provide technical assistance and support to the food industry in fortification. The center provides information on the science of fortification, regulatory requirements, and best practices for fortification.
The FFRC also provides training to the food industry on fortification and conducts research to identify the best methods for fortification of different food products.
The FSSAI’s efforts towards promoting the fortification of food products are expected to have a significant impact on the nutritional status of the population, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women and children. The re-operationalization of the provisions for Fortified Rice Kernel is expected to give a boost to the national-level fortification program.
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