The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive mandating the use of FSSAI-approved test methods for testing fortificants such as iron, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12 in fortified rice, fortified rice kernel, and vitamin-mineral premix for fortified rice kernel.
According to the recent order, all FSSAI-notified food testing laboratories approved for these tests must exclusively utilize the FSSAI-approved methods. These methods were originally published in orders dated September 8, 2022, November 7, 2023, and November 9, 2023.
Furthermore, laboratories currently employing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) test methods based on FSSAI guidelines must update their accredited scope within four months from the issuance of this order to include the FSSAI-endorsed test methods. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in delisting or removal from the approved list of laboratories for testing fortificants in fortified rice and related products.
This regulatory step underscores FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of fortificant testing across food products, aligning with stringent quality standards to safeguard public health.