Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held a crucial meeting in Hyderabad on October 07, 2024 with key stakeholders from the Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) manufacturing sector and rice millers. The meeting was chaired by FSSAI CEO, G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, and attended by special guests, including D.S. Chauhan, Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana, as well as officials from the Food Safety and Consumer Affairs departments.
The primary focus of the meeting was to highlight the importance of adhering to stringent standards in the FRK manufacturing process. CEO Rao stressed that all FRK manufacturers must conduct third-party audits, failure to comply that non-compliance would result in strict consequences. This move aligns with the government's fortification initiative aimed at combating micronutrient deficiencies such as anemia, a pressing health issue in India. Rao emphasized the critical role fortification plays in ensuring that the population receives necessary nutrients.
FSSAI, as the national food regulator, has already established clear standards for FRK and FRK premixes, making it mandatory for manufacturers to carry out batch-wise testing. During the meeting, Rao also touched upon the recent introduction of 109 high-yielding, nutritionally fortified crop varieties by Prime Minister Modi, highlighting the bioavailability aspect of FRK. Currently, over 900 companies are engaged in FRK manufacturing across India, making compliance with these standards crucial for the sector's growth and consumer safety.
D.S. Chauhan raised concerns regarding challenges in implementing rice fortification, including contamination, adulteration, and hygiene. He also highlighted the issue of duplicate products in the market, particularly rice and tea, but praised the high quality of Telangana’s rice. To combat these issues, R.V. Karnan, Commissioner of Food Safety, advocated for district-level awareness programs and training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for manufacturers.
The meeting fostered productive discussions among stakeholders, addressing concerns related to quality control, storage, and testing. In response to these challenges, CEO Rao assured that FSSAI would work to resolve major issues faced by FRK manufacturers and rice millers.
Attended by over 150 stakeholders, including international organizations like Nutrition International, state officials, and industry leaders, the meeting demonstrated FSSAI's commitment to ensuring safe, nutritious food across India. The organization continues to prioritize food safety, exploring new measures to strengthen the country's food safety landscape.
