No expiry date for fortified rice now

New Delhi The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has exempted rice mills making fortified rice (FR) and fortified rice kernel (FRK) from specifying the expiry date. The authority has directed laboratories not to specify the expiry date of fortified rice (FR) and fortified rice kernel (FRK), official sources told Bizz Buzz, adding that the directive will remove the ambiguity with regard to the shelf life of FR and FRK.

Some time ago, Food Corporation of India (FCI) had complained to the FSSAI that some manufacturers issue the certificate of analysis (CoA) which contains the expiry date. FCI informed the FSSAI that the study to determine the shelf life of FR and FRK is being conducted; it will take over two years to complete the study. FCI has also said that the quantum of procurement of fortified rice is much more than required by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or the government’s welfare schemes.

Since it is not possible to know the shelf life of FR and FRK, it would not be appropriate to mention it. In a bid to avoid ambiguity over the matter, the FSSAI has asked all notified laboratories to avoid mentioning the expiry date or any other information related to the shelf life FR and FRK, the sources said. The Narendra Modi government announced the rice fortification programme on Independence Day in 2021. The objective was to address the issue of nutritional deficiencies in the food the poor eat. Fortification is done by adding fortified rice kernels (FRK) containing micronutrients (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12) to normal rice in the ratio of 1:100. Fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. This process is done in the rice mills at the time of milling of rice. By the end of last fiscal, a total of 269 districts in 27 states were distributing fortified rice under Targeted Public Distribution System, having achieved the target set for Phase II.