The panel will identify critical nutrition gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as in specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has constituted a scientific panel on ‘food fortification and nutrition’ to address the nutrition gap in the country’s population.
The panel will identify critical nutrition gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as in specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence.
That apart, it will define strategies to address nutritional needs of the general population and vulnerable groups, and review the standards for all suitable food fortifying vehicles, in addition to the healthy dietary intake of fat, sugar and salt.
“It will also address regulatory and related technological issues and review proposals from industry using modern risk assessment methods. Standard sampling and test methods will be prescribed for effective monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the relevant regulations,” a statement by the FSSAI said.
Micronutrient Malnutrition Disorders are ubiquitously prevalent in all age groups. According to the National Family Health Survey (2006-07) and World Bank (2006), about 70 per cent of preschool children suffer from iron deficiency, and 57 per cent of preschool children have sub-clinical Vitamin A deficiency respectively.
Further, as per the World Bank (2006), iodine deficiency is endemic in 85 per cent of districts. Moreover, folate deficiency, which leads to Neural Tube Defects (NTDS), are the most common congenital malformation in the Indian context, with an incidence that varies between 0.5-8/1,000 births.
It is estimated that 50-70 per cent of these birth defects are preventable.
FSSAI, being the standard setting and regulatory body, has taken a step in the public health domain to address these and other vitamin deficiency-related malnutrition disorders through fortification of food.
FSSAI had earlier brought out draft regulations for fortified food, namely “Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulations, 2016, which were operationalised at the National Summit on Food Fortification held in
October, 2016. Based on the comments received on the draft regulations, the panel will finalise the regulations.
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