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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released comprehensive Regulatory standards to identify basmati rice. This is the first time in the country that FSSAI has come up with a regulation that will establish ethical trading standards for basmati rice, which will also safeguard consumers' interests both domestically and internationally. The mandate is also applicable to milled basmati rice, milled parboiled basmati rice, brown basmati rice, and parboiled brown basmati rice.
The regulations are published in the Indian Gazette under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2023, and will take effect on August 01, 2023.
What are the FSSAI’s Regulatory Standards for Basmati Rice?
According to FSSAI regulations, basmati rice must have its characteristic natural fragrance. It should be free of polishing agents, color, and scents. These regulations further exemplify the quality and other identifying parameters, which include:
- The average size of rice grains and their elongation ratio after boiling/cooking
- Moisture content and its maximum limits
- Amylose content
- Uric Acid
- Damages/defective grains
- Incidental presence of other rice, which is not basmati and has different characteristics, and other parameters
Why is FSSAI Regulating Basmati Rice?
The price of basmati rice is higher, and thus it is exposed to various types of adulteration. Mixing it with non-basmati varieties is a common practice for financial gain. Therefore, the FSSAI has announced Regulatory standards for basmati rice. The new standards have been developed through extensive consultations with the relevant government departments and agencies, and other stakeholders.
India alone produces two-thirds of the world’s supply. By taking a step towards regulating basmati rice, the FSSAI is ensuring the supply of standardized, genuine basmati grains in the domestic and export markets. Align with the FSSAI’s standards with a thorough compliance check. Reach out to Food Regulatory experts at Freyr.
