FSSAI has Issued An Order Specifying The Methods of Analysis of Fortificants in Foods and Formulated Supplements for Children.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order specifying the methods of analysis of fortificants in foods and formulated supplements for children. These fortificants include pyridoxine or vitamin B6, folic acid and zinc for common food like rice, atta and maida and 43 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for children supplements. The FSSAI, in a statement, has informed that the Scientific Panel On Methods of Sampling and Analysis, Scientific Committee and Food Authority have approved the method of analysis of fortificants in food including pyridoxine, folic acid and zinc along with methods of analysis of formulated supplements for children. The order also directed the food laboratories to use these methods in testing of fortified food products. “The food testing laboratories are hereby requested to use the methods with immediate effect,” reads the order. For pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in commodities including atta, maida and rice, the approved testing method number is EN 14164 using instrument and detector/method HPLC. The approved method is HPLC-UV Estimation of Folic Acid in Fortified Rice and Wheat Flour using Enzymatic Extraction and Immunoaffinity Chromatography Enrichment. The method is applicable for the determination of folic acid, in fortified rice and wheat flour. According to FSSAI, the method applicable for the determination of zinc at trace levels in fortified wheat and rice flour is done through Minerals and Trace Elements in Milk, Milk Products, Infant Formula, and Adult/Paediatric Nutritional Formula using ICP-MS Method. The method is capable of determining 2.5-50 mg of Zinc/kg flour, depending on instrument design. This method is not applicable to milk powder, however. Similarly, methods of analysis were also approved by the FSSAI for Formulated Supplements for Children mentioned in Regulation No. 2.4.11.4 of FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.