The regulatory body in charge of food safety has issued an advisory concerning the disclosure of shelf-life details for fortified rice and fortified rice kernel. Laboratories are directed not to provide any information related to shelf life, as an ongoing study is being conducted on this matter.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has revealed that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is currently engaged in a comprehensive study to ascertain the shelf life of fortified rice and fortified rice kernel. The duration required for this study to be completed is estimated to be over two years.
In light of this situation, the FSSAI has instructed all laboratories under its notification to refrain from mentioning expiry dates or any shelf life-related information pertaining to fortified rice and fortified rice kernel, until further instructions are issued by the food authority. The advisory issued by the FSSAI underscores the importance of avoiding any potential confusion regarding the shelf life of these fortified products.
The FSSAI’s attention was drawn to the fact that some Certificate of Analysis (CoA) documents, provided by manufacturers of fortified rice kernel, include expiration dates.
Furthermore, the FCI has informed the FSSAI that the quantity of fortified rice procurement significantly exceeds the annual requirements of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). As a result, a substantial quantity of fortified rice is stored for periods exceeding one year.
The FSSAI’s statement underscores the need to temporarily withhold shelf-life information in light of the ongoing study and the extended storage duration of fortified rice.