The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a revised list of approved laboratories equipped to test fortificants, specifically Iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B9, in Fortified Rice (FR), Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK), and Vitamin-Mineral Premix for Fortified Rice Kernel. This order was issued on November 30, 2023.
This list comes as part of FSSAI’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and nutritional efficacy of fortified food products in the Indian market. The laboratories included in this list have demonstrated the capability to carry out thorough analyses of samples of FR, FRK, and Vitamin-Mineral Premix for FRK.
It is crucial to note that these accredited laboratories will only accept samples for testing if they possess a valid accreditation status. The recognition and validity of the aforementioned laboratories will be governed by the guidelines and orders issued by FSSAI, which may be updated periodically to align with the latest standards and regulations.
This announcement supersedes the previous order dated November 2, 2023, reinforcing FSSAI’s commitment to maintaining stringent quality control measures in the fortification of rice products. Industry stakeholders, including producers and distributors of fortified rice, are urged to comply with these updated guidelines to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of their products.
FSSAI continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the health and well-being of consumers by enforcing robust standards in the food industry. The revised list of approved laboratories marks another step in the direction of enhancing transparency and accountability in the fortified food sector.
Food manufacturers, distributors, and other relevant stakeholders are encouraged to stay abreast of FSSAI’s updates and adhere to the latest guidelines to contribute to the overall improvement of food safety and nutritional standards in the country.
