Standards for fortified rice kernels (FRKs)

June 30, 2022

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently decided to operationalise standards for fortified rice kernels (FRKs).

Key Points

Standards for fortified rice kernels will be operationalised with immediate effect, in order to strengthen national-level fortification programme in India.
The draft regulation on “standards for FRKs” has been framed and notified on May 25, 2022. However, the amended regulation will be finalised after consultation with the stakeholder.
Till then, to strengthen National level fortification programme and its implementation, FSSAI has decided to operationalise the provisions related to FRKs immediately.

What are FRKs?

FRKs are rice-shaped kernels, comprising of vitamins and minerals produced through extrusion technique. In terms of aroma, texture and taste, they are required to resemble normal rice kernels as closely as possible.

About the new regulations

Regulations that have been operationalised by FSSAI, provide standards for rice flour which is used in preparing FRKs.
It also provides standards for vitamin and mineral premix (VMP). VMP is a combination of micronutrients in desired proportion, which are ready for use as a fortificant in manufacturing FRKs.
Vitamins and minerals are added to pulverised milled rice, which is then used for developing FRKs. Later, they are blended with traditional rice.
FRKs will only be sold for industrial purposes, in order to manufacture fortified rice. It will neither be sold in loose form nor directly to the consumer.

What are the permissible levels of Vitamins and Minerals?

The standards provide for permissible levels of folic acid, iron, and Vitamin B12 for blending ratios of 1:50 and 1:100. New regulation also provide for permissible levels of other fortificants like Vitamin A, zinc and Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & B6.

Labelling standards and other disclaimers

The regulations further provide labelling standards for FRK packages. Each package of FRK should carry a statement on ratio in which FRK will be blended with rice kernels. Packages will also require to carry disclaimers like “not to be construed as a substitute for rice & rice flour’ and “not to be consumed as an independent product”.

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