The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSA) has issued a protocol to reinforce prescribed method for fortificant testing for rice. This protocol was issued to all notified laboratories on 30th May, 2023.
The following instructions have been issues to the notified laboratories:
Homogenisation of Sample
The entire sample must be ground into a homogenous mixture before weighing the sample for analysis. Some of the fortificants are to be analysed in parts per billion (ppb) level, for example, vitamin B12, which is 0.75 mcg per Kg. of rice.
Intermediate Checks of Certified Reference Material (CRM)
Labs should ensure periodical testing of prepared CRMs to verify potency and stability. Records of such verification shall also be maintained. Storage of CRMs should be as per supplier recommendations/ MSDS.
Preservation of Remnant Samples
The remaining quantity of tested samples should be preserved for at least 3 months from the date of reporting. The samples shall be stored in refrigerators at temperatures of 5 to 10 degree celsius.
Re-testing in cases of Complaints
In case of complaints against any laboratory, the sample shall retrieved from the initial lab and retested in another FSSAI notified NABL accredited laboratory.
