FSSAI issues guidelines for fortifying processed food products

fssai-issues-guidelines-for-fortifying-processed-food-products
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The FSSAI has limited the amount of fortification that can be added to 15-30 per cent of the normal day to day dietary input levels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently laid out standards for permissible degrees of micronutrients for fortifying food products that are processed, for example, bread, breakfast oats, biscuits, noodles, rusks, buns, pasta and juices.

Companies that manufacture such products can fortify them with micronutrients willfully. Additionally, products that are high in sugar, fat and salt will be ’prohibited’ from the processed food category.

The FSSAI has limited the amount of fortification that can be added to 15-30 per cent of the normal day to day dietary input levels. This has been done to ensure a balanced utilisation of micronutrients fortified items.

Organisations will have the option to augment the products with zinc, iron, folic acid, vitamin A, nutrient B12, among several other micronutrients. The issued notification has defined the levels of these vitamins along with minerals for every 100 gm. For instance, iron degrees have been set at 1.4-1.7 milligram per 100 grams of grains. These norms will become effective from July 1, 2021.

Essentially, reasonable levels of supplements, for example, zinc, iron, nutrient B1, nutrient B3 and nutrient B12 have been indicated in the principles for biscuits, rusks, buns and bread.

Effectively, many food companies sell packaged items, for instance, rusks and noodles sustained with minerals and nutrients. They shall abide by the set norms by next year.

Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of Equinox Labs, said, “By notifying these standards, FSSAI is encouraging organizations to fortify food products keeping in mind the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of micronutrients for a grownup. This will in turn prove beneficial for an individual’s overall health and well-being.” Bhadri continued, “With times like these, maintaining good health must be a top priority and I believe FSSAI has made a great move.”

 

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