FSSAI Hosts meeting to strengthen food safety standards for fortified rice production

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a meeting in Hyderabad bringing together stakeholders from the Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) manufacturing sector and rice millers. 

The meeting, chaired by FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, included dignitaries such as D.S. Chauhan, Commissioner & Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana, along with other officials from the Food Safety and Consumer Affairs departments.

The meeting focused on reinforcing stringent standards for FRK and emphasized the compliance mechanisms required during the fortification process. CEO Rao highlighted the importance of third-party audits for all FRK manufacturers, warning that non-compliance would lead to serious consequences. This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing fortification program aimed at addressing widespread micronutrient deficiencies, including anaemia, in the Indian population.

To ensure quality, FSSAI has established standards for FRK and its premixes, mandating batch-wise testing of products. Recently, the Prime Minister launched 109 high-yielding, nutritionally fortified crop varieties, underscoring the significance of bioavailability in FRK. Currently, over 900 companies are involved in FRK production across the country.

During the discussions, concerns regarding recent non-compliance reports emerged, particularly regarding manufacturing practices and proper record-keeping. Commissioner D.S. Chauhan raised issues such as contamination, adulteration, and hygiene practices in rice fortification programs, noting the concerning presence of duplicate products, especially in rice and tea. He praised the high quality of rice produced in Telangana.

Additionally, R.V. Karnan, Commissioner of Food Safety, advocated for district-level awareness programs and training sessions focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for manufacturers. He stressed the need for establishing additional labs for testing FRK samples at strategic locations within states to facilitate prompt corrective actions in line with food safety regulations.

The meeting also fostered meaningful interactions between dignitaries and stakeholders, addressing challenges related to manufacturing, quality control, storage, and testing. CEO Rao assured attendees that FSSAI would work collaboratively with all stakeholders to resolve major issues faced by FRK manufacturers and rice millers.

The event saw participation from over 150 stakeholders, including representatives from international organizations like Nutrition International, state officials, senior FSSAI officials, and members from the food and agriculture sectors.