FSSAI constitutes scientific panel on food fortification and nutrition

Wednesday, 15 February, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has constituted a scientific panel on food fortification and nutrition.  The apex regulator stated, “The panel will identify critical nutritional gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence, 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 elated technological issues, review proposals from industry using modern risk assessment methods, and prescribe standard sampling and test methods for effective monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the relevant regulations,” it added. The scientific panel has eleven distinguished experts and scientists and includes 10 members from various research institutions. Apart from these, members from scientific panels dealing with fortification of food such as wheat flour, refined flour, rice, milk, edible oil and salt will also be a part of this panel.  In addition, the ministries of women and child development and health and family welfare,the department of biotechnologyand the Indian Council of Medical Research will also be working with the panel.  It is pertinent to mention here that FSSAI had earlier brought out draft regulations for fortified food, namely Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulations, 2016. These were operationalised at the National Summit on Food Fortification held inOctober2016. Based on the comments received on the draft regulations, the panel will finalise the regulations.  Ashwin Bhadri, chief executive officer, Equinox Labs said, “Since food fortification has a huge opportunity to adding vital nutrients to the daily diets of the masses.” He stated, “Many times, people show a deficiency of particular nutrients. This might be due to regional obstacles or due to the simple absence of a particular food product in the day-to-day diet.” “The salt disputation programme was one of the first food fortification programmes that were a tremendous hit, in terms of reducing the rate of goitre. A few state governments, with aid from certain public health program mes, are implementing wheat fortification with iron and colic acid.” However, experts see some drawbacks as well. Bhadri said, “This law can sway public opinion towards a particular product which might misguide the customers.” “Hence, products that claim to be fortifiedshould have a valid test report (done by a third-party lab) to prove the same. This will help in their brand equity, more demand for their product and a high value for the consumers,” he added. Meanwhile, four zonal consultations for states/Union Territories (Its)- covering the northern region in Delhi, the western region in Bhopal, the eastern region in Bhubaneswar and the southern region in Bengaluru - have been convened jointly with the ministry of women and child development, other line ministries/departments and development partners such as the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), World Food program (WFP) and Micronutrient Initiative (MI) with continued engagement with staple food manufacturers. The fifth consultation with the north-eastern region is slated to take place in Guwahati on February 15, 2017.  FSSAI also unveiled a logo for fortified foods which may be used by food businesses. This logo comprises of a square encompassing an F with a ‘+’ sign with a ring around it, which signifies the addition of extra nutrition and vitamins to daily meals to provide good health, protection and an active life.  “Several food businesses have already started using this logo,” the statement said. source

FSSAI logo cannot be used to sell products or denounce rival products

Monday, 13 February, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

With many brands using the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) logo to sell their products, notably Patanjali and Dabur, the apex regulator has issued a clarification that its logo can’t be used to sell any product, and that it is not a means for rival companies to denounce their competitors’ products.  The apex food regulator has issued an order directing all food business operators (FBOs) to refrain from using its logo to justify their products, and reiterated that all products manufactured, stored, distributed, sold and imported were required to conform to the standards prescribed by it.  FSSAI added, “It is directed that the display of FSSAI logo and name in labels and advertisements in any form should not be used to misrepresent the regulator or to suggest that it endorses any particular FBO, company, organisation or product.” It further says that the logo is only allowed to be used as per the food safety standards packaging rules and regulations.  According to a senior official with FSSAI, “There have been numerous representations made to FSSAI with regards to such acts wherein companies were involved in justifying their products with the display of FSSAI’s name and logo and that their products were approved and endorsed by FSSAI.”  “However, it wasn’t the case, and according to the rules and regulations, putting the logo and license number on packaged food commodity is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.”  It has been learnt that FSSAI has been working on the subject for several months.  source

Hain Celestial, Future Group launch India joint venture

By Katy Askew | 20 January 2017

Hain Celestial, Future Group launch India joint venture
US natural food maker Hain Celestial has entered into a joint venture to expand its brands in the Indian market with Future Consumer Ltd (FCL), the consumer products division of Indian conglomerate Future Group.

Hain Celestial, via its local unit Tilda Hain India , and FCL will work together to pursue "joint interests" in food marketing and development in the country. The US group has a presence in India with products including Tilda rice.

The joint venture will manufacture, market and distribute "better-for-you" natural and organic products across "various categories" including snacks, plant-based alternatives and toddler and kids foods. The business will utilise existing Hain Celestial brands, such as Terra, Garden of Eatin', Sensible Portions, Dream and Earth's Best. Hain Tilda will continue to manufacture and market brands under the Tilda brand.

Announcing the tie-up, Hain Celestial stressed that Future Group operates "multiple retail formats" in India and suggested that the deal will help the company expand distribution in the market.

"Rajnish Ohri, our managing director in India, and his team will work together with Future Group to provide us with an opportunity to grow distribution of Hain Celestial's brands and products throughout India with its growing population and our focus on families in a more meaningful way," Hain Celestial founder, president and CEO Irwin Simon suggested.

Kishore Biyani, group CEO of Future Group, added the venture will expand its offering of "healthful" products in the natural and organic sector. "Hain Celestial is one of the most respected companies in the organic and natural segment, and we are excited to establish this partnership with Hain Tilda in India. Together, we will be able to provide Indian consumers with products that set the standards for good taste and are healthful too," he commented.

source