India’s Food Fortification Plans Struggle as Companies Ignore Guidelines

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that only 12% of milk products sold in the country fulfill FSSAI’s fortification requirements while with respect to edible oils, 43% of the companies in the sector are following the agency’s directions. The FSSAI issued the guidelines in October 2016, instructing milk and edible oil producers to add vitamins A and D to all their products.  The guidelines dictate that milk brands add 770 IU of vitamin A and 550 IU of vitamin D per litre of all milk products.  Edible oil brands are required to add 800 IU of vitamin A and 550 IU of vitamin D per litre of product.

According to FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal, the regulation aimed to address the lack of essential micronutrients in large numbers of Indian population.  He added that the purpose of guidelines was to ensure that at least 40% to 50% of the daily recommended intake of vitamins A and D were met.  India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the National Institute of Nutrition reported that 70% of the country’s residents are vitamin D deficient, while 30% are vitamin A deficient.  In addition, vitamin A deficiency is estimated to be highest among pre-school children (44% to 50%).