Govt likely to cap non-basmati and basmati rice blending to 15%

Currently, basmati - which is meant for exports to European nations only - is allowed with up to 15 per cent blending. However, for domestic sale, the blending goes up to 30-40 per cent

The government is likely to disallow blending of more than 15 per cent non-basmati rice with basmati and it being sold as blended basmati.

Sources said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — at a meeting held recently — is believed to have approved the standards, thus putting a lid on the long-standing confusion. At the same time, it ensures that the purity of Indian basmati rice does not get diluted due to excessive blending.  

Basmati rice, which is blended with non-basmati rice in excess of 15 per cent, can be labelled only as blended rice and