Morphology of fortified rice kernels will be different from non-fortified rice kernels as indicated in the Figure-I and Figure-II. Non-fortified rice kernels will have prominent embryo from endosperm whereas in fortified rice kernels it will be absent.
Result of samples tested indicates forticants, confirming the rice as ‘fortified rice’
Dimapur, June 21 (MExN): The rice samples that were sent for testing to the State Public Health Laboratory have turned out to be ‘fortified rice’ kernels and not ‘plastic rice’ as alleged in the viral video, Food Safety officials informed on Monday.
“As per the Food Analyst report, the rice sample tested indicates presence of fortificants in the rice confirming the rice as fortified rice. Further, microscopic examination of rice kernels shows clusters of rice starch of oryza sativa species (natural rice origin) and do not show any form of adulterant (plastic) mixture as alleged in the viral video,” Principal Secretary & Commissioner for Food Safety Amardeep Singh Bhatia said in a statement issued through the state DIPR.
The tested rice sample as per the standardized parameters is within the prescribed limit under Regulation No.2.4.6: (24) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, Principal Secretary Bhatia added.
He also informed that fortification of food is standardized and operationalized under Food Safety & Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2017 and rice can be fortified using dusting, coating or extrusion technology where the milled broken rice is pulverized and mixed with vitamins and minerals resulting in fortified rice kernels (Section 4.4 of Guidebook on Food Fortification, FSSAI). Hence the difference in physical morphology of fortified and non-fortified rice (rice in its natural form).
Further, under Food Safety & Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2017, every package of fortified food shall carry the words “fortified with... (name of the fortificant)” and the logo (Plus F) as specified in Schedule II of the Regulations on the label, he added.
