The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a Notification dated 18th December 2020 has issued the FSS (Fortification of Foods) First Amendment Regulations, 2020 (“Amendment”) as per the powers conferred under Section 92 (2)(e) of the FSS Act 2006 Act with a view to further amend the FSS (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018 (“Regulations”).
While the Amendment is effective 18th December, 2020, the food business operators to comply with the same by 1st July, 2021.
Some of the key changes are tabulated below:
| Regulations | Amendment | Implication |
| Regulation 2 Definitions
(….) (d) “fortified food” means a food, as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, that has undergone the process of fortification as per the provisions of these regulations
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Regulation 2 Definitions
(….) (d) “fortified food” means a food, as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, that has undergone the process of fortification as per the provisions of these regulations
(da) “Fortified Processed Foods” means processed foods (i.e., foods that have been altered from its natural state by industrial processing methods) that have undergone the process of fortification as per the provisions of these regulations. The same may have fortified staples as raw materials and/or fortified with permitted micronutrients and additives as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 |
The amendment has now included the definition of Fortified Processed Foods, which includes fortified staples as raw materials fortified with permitted micronutrients and additives under the FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 |
| Regulation 3- General principles
(….) No sub-regulation 5
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Regulation 3- General principles
(….)
(5) Fortified Processed Foods may be prepared from fortified food articles that may be cereals and/or milk;
(6) The Fortified Processed Food shall provide 15-30% of the Indian adult RDA of micronutrient based on an average calorie intake of 600 kcal from processed foods (approximately 1/3rd of daily energy requirement for an adult);
(7) High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) Foods shall be excluded from Fortified Processed Foods category. The definition of HFSS foods shall have the same meaning as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 |
The components and preparation for fortified processed food has been provided basis the amendment. Fortified Processed Food shall provide 15-30% of the Indian adult RDA of micronutrient based on an average calorie intake of 600 kcal from processed foods. High Fat Sugar Salt Foods will be excluded from Fortified Processed Foods category. |
| Regulation 4- Compliance with Standards on Micronutrient Content in Fortified Food
(1) Any manufacturer who fortifies any food shall ensure that the level of micronutrient in such fortified food does not fall below the minimum level specified in Schedule- I. |
Regulation 4- Compliance with Standards on Micronutrient Content in Fortified Food
(1) Any manufacturer who fortifies any food shall ensure that the level of micronutrient in such fortified food does not fall below the minimum level specified in Schedule- I.
2) Any manufacturer who fortifies any processed food shall ensure that the level of micronutrients in such fortified processed food shall fall within the range specified in Schedule-III |
The amendment has included an additional sub-regulation which states any manufacturer who fortifies any processed food shall ensure that the level of micronutrients in such fortified processed food fall within the range specified in Schedule-III. |
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
