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Draft order on fortified food items

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 11/13/2020 11:40:47 PM

NEW DELHI, Nov 13: The Health Ministry has notified draft regulations to be enforced after 60 days of objections and suggestions on the fortification of various food items, including milk, under the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations.
The notification gazetted on November 12 on behalf of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) says the regulations shall come into force either from January 1 or July 1, subject to a minimum of 180 days from the date of their final publication in the official gazette.
In case of the milk powder fortified with Vitamin A and D, the regulations say such powder will be used only in the government-funded programmes for preparation of the "reconstituted fortified milk" and it shall carry the label stating that "not recommended for direct consumption and only for use under the specified government funded programme.
The milk powder pack should also mention that it should be consumed on the same day of opening the packet and to be consumed only after reconstitution of the entire content as per the directions on the label.
Other products brought under the regulations are:
-- Every package of food, fortified with Iron, shall carry the statement that "people with Thalassemia may take under medical supervision and persons with Sickle Cell Anemia are advised not to consume the iron fortified food products.
-- Iodine content from Potassium Iodate should ensure the level of nutrients are 15-30 per million on dry weight basis.
-- Fortified rice instead of present clause of fortified raw rice.