New standards for fortifying foods released

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released new standards on fortification on food. The guidelines are meant to regulate the fortification of food, especially packaged food, with essential micronutrients to counter risingmal nutrition in the country. Changing food patterns are seen as one of the leading causes of micronutrient deficiency in the country.Ashish Bahuguna, the

Chairman of FSSAI reported that the Fortification of food was seen as an efficient and economical way of reducing deficiency and counter rising malnutrition in the country.

iii. Agarwal, however, admitted that the large-scale production, processing and packaging of some of the food products, especially wheat flour and rice, by the unorganized sector would make implementation a challenge. The standards are expected to see minor changes following stakeholder consultation.