The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory on shelf life of fortified rice (FR) and fortified rice kernel (FRK). This advisory was issued on 2nd August, 2023.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has brought to the notice of the FSSAI that in some cases, Certificate of Analysis (CoA) issued by FRK manufacturers contains expiry dates. FCI has also stated that the quantum of procurement of fortified rice is much more than that of annual requirement of NFSA/ OWS schemes. Hence as a result, a bulk quantity of fortified rice remain in storage beyond one year.
FCI has also intimated the FSSAI that a study to determine shelf life of FR and FRK is under process and it may take more than 2 years to complete.
Therefore, in order to avoid ambiguity with regards to shelf life of FR and FRK, the FSSAI has instructed all FSSAI notified laboratories not to mention the date of expiry or any information related to shelf life of FR and FRKs until further orders.
