Govt mulls making food fortification mandatory: FSSAI

In order to address malnutrition, government is considering making food fortification –adding of essential micronutrients –mandatory in wheat flour, rice, salt, edible oils and salt.

At the same time, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which earlier this month issued draft regulation on allowing food fortification, has decided to soon operationalise these standards even before it issues final notification.

FSSAI is organising 2-day summit on fortification of food on October 16-17 in the national capital to draw the roadmap.

“Fortification is a cost effective and quick way to address malnutrition. We have issued a draft regulation on fortification of foods and sought public comments. We will soon operationalise this draft as several states want to start fortification,” FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal told reporters here.