Relevance:
For the first time in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified the identity standards for Basmati Rice which will be enforced with effect from 01 August 2023.
Basmati Rice:
- It is a premium variety of rice has origin in the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent.
- Characteristics –
- Long grain size
- Fluffy texture
- Unique inherent aroma and flavour due to the presence of a chemical called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.
- Cultivation – Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, UT of Jammu and Kashmir and western Uttar Pradesh.
- Factors contributing to its uniqueness –
- Agro-climatic conditions
- Method of harvesting, processing and ageing
- Threat – Adulteration such as undeclared blending of other non-basmati varieties of rice.
- Supply and demand – It is widely consumed both domestically and globally and India accounts for 2/3rd of its global supply.
Standards for Basmati Rice:
- Notified under – Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) 1st Amendment Regulations, 2023.
- Specified Standards –
- It shall possess the natural fragrance characteristic of basmati rice
- It should be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances.
- Specified identity and quality parameters –
- Average size of Basmati grains
- After cooking elongation ratio
- Maximum limits of moisture, amylose content, uric acid, damaged grains and incidental presence of other non-basmati rice etc.
Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Reference: PIB
