FSSAI chief says fortification reaches 51 pc in rice, 27 pc in milk; to help deal with malnutrition

The level of fortification in rice and milk has reached 51 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, which will help in dealing with malnutrition, food regulator FSSAI Chairperson Rita Teaotia said on Monday.

Fortification is a complementary strategy to fight malnutrition under which the addition of key vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, vitamins A & D to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt are done to improve their nutritional content.

Speaking at a CII conference, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) chairperson stressed the need to revisit the mandate of the National Nutrition Mission with the aim to look beyond the Integrated Child Nutrition programme and put equal emphasis on other aspects that go along with nutrition.

"FSSAI is working in tandem with major National Programmes of Government of India to ensure fortification becomes integral to those programmes," she was quoted as saying in a statement issued by CII.

Teaotia said the FSSAI had rolled out the fortification standards for five staples -- wheat, rice, oil, milk, double fortified salt -- that are voluntary in nature at present.

Success has been achieved towards the effort in terms of oil and milk, where fortification of packaged edible oil is at present 51 per cent while that of milk is 26-27 per cent, she said.

FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Pawan Agarwal said food consumed by us should be good for the planet also, as sustainability is an important part of nutrition.

He said, "When we refer to nutrition, we refer to healthy diet, but we should have a more holistic, sustainable approach than just talking about positive nutrition."