FSSAI notifies comprehensive regulatory standards for Basmati Rice for first time

New Delhi: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FSSAI has notified comprehensive regulatory standards for Basmati Rice for the first time.

These standards will be enforced from 1st of August this year. Union Health Ministry said, the standards are aimed at establishing fair practices in the trade of Basmati rice and protect consumer interest, both domestically and globally.

As per these standards, Basmati rice shall possess natural fragrance characteristics of basmati rice and be free from



artificial colouring, polishing agents, and artificial fragrances. These standards also specify various identity and quality parameters for basmati rice such as the average size of grains, maximum limits of moisture, uric acid, and damaged grains.

Basmati rice is a premium variety of rice cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent. Basmati is a widely consumed variety of rice both domestically and globally and India accounts for two-thirds of its global supply.