- India is currently the second largest basmati rice producer in the world, with India Gate being its number one contributor: Dr HG Koshia, Commissioner of Food Safety, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat
- The FSSAI has recently released regulations on identity standards for Basmati Rice to encourage balanced nutrition and enhance food safety awareness among consumers
- It is for the very first time that FSSAI has laid down identity standards for various forms of Basmati Rice, including brown Basmati, milled Basmati, parboiled brown Basmati, and milled parboiled Basmati: Ayush Gupta, Business Head – India Market, KRBL Limited
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, OCT 11
KRBL Limited’s India Gate Basmati Rice, the World’s No.1 Basmati Rice brand together with the Eat Right India initiative under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) hosted the ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’ public interest education and awareness initiative in the Ahmedabad today.
Dr. H. G. Koshia, Commissioner of Food Safety, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat delivered the keynote address at the Conclave and lauded the initiative which is a step forward in a direction to curb the menace of adulteration and provide greater opportunities to farmers. The regulations are an attempt to ensure that the consumers get the quality that they pay for.
Even as the regulations came into effect on 1st of August 2023, India Gate Basmati Rice has taken the lead through this initiative in promoting healthier eating habits, encouraging balanced nutrition, and enhance food safety awareness among consumers across India whilst raising widespread awareness of the recently released FSSAI regulations on identity standards for Basmati Rice. An initiative in public interest by KRBL, the ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’ Conclave was hosted in Ahmedabad in the presence of Sukanya Podugala, Assistant Director, FSSAI Gujarat; Anindita Mehta, Chief General Manager and Lab Director, Consumer Education & Research Centre, Gujarat, Chef Surya Narayan, Hyatt Regency, Ahmedabad and Ayush Gupta, Business Head – India Market, KRBL Limited.
Commending the “Basmati Rice No Compromise” initiative, Dr HG Koshia, Commissioner of Food Safety, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat said, “If we look back at 60–70 years from now, India was lacking in foodgrains, and there was hunger. People used to skip meals to save the grain. Due to advanced technology in agriculture, India now has a surplus in the production of foodgrains and other food products. For example, basmati rice is one of the major commodities in this regard, and India is currently the second largest basmati rice producer in the world, with India Gate being its number one contributor. We come across many adulteration instances in common in our daily interactions. Recently, we have caught vanaspati being sold as cow ghee. A certain section of the market is trying to make money out of this situation.”
Ayush Gupta, Business Head – India Market, KRBL Limited and a Basmati Rice industry leader, “We laud the FSSAI for their visionary approach in establishing identity standards for Basmati Rice. These regulations will undoubtedly bolster consumer confidence in the authenticity and safety of our cherished Basmati rice, both within India and in the global arena. As the World’s No. 1 Basmati Rice Brand, India Gate has always been committed to maintaining the integrity of the Basmati grain through compliance, and these regulations align perfectly with our mission to deliver the finest Basmati rice to consumers worldwide.
It is for the very first time that FSSAI has laid down identity standards for various forms of Basmati Rice, including brown Basmati, milled Basmati, parboiled brown Basmati, and milled parboiled Basmati. These standards, as outlined in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2023; and notified in the Gazette of India, signify a momentous step forward in promoting the reputation and trustworthiness of Indian Basmati rice in the Indian markets.
The first-ever regulations take on the issue of rampant adulteration in Basmati Rice sold in India and therefore restrict presence of non-basmati grains to 15% in Basmati Rice, ensuring that the consumer gets unadulterated quality basmati rice.
The standard comprehensively captures various attributes of the basmati rice which are pivotal for building a food safety culture. As per the standard, basmati rice shall possess a natural fragrance, characteristic 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 average size of grains and their elongation ratio after cooking; maximum limits of moisture, amylose content, uric acid, defective/damaged grains and incidental presence of other non-basmati rice etc.
“KRBL has always been at the forefront to ensure quality standards are followed. It is our responsibility to ensure they realise the importance of purity, quality standards and are able to differentiate Basmati rice from other non-Basmati and adulterated products. We are hopeful these discussions across the country will be a starting point for consumers and trade alike to start making informed decisions that ultimately are the cornerstones of ensuring a safe and healthy life”, Gupta added.
By bringing together diverse perspectives, this conclave aims to create a unified vision for a thriving and responsible Basmati rice industry. The “Eat Right” initiative, launched by FSSAI, is a nationwide campaign that encourages individuals and customers alike to make the right choices and take informed decisions on food choices and adopt healthier lifestyles. Through this collaboration, India Gate Basmati Rice is taking an active role in supporting this crucial initiative and furthering FSSAI’s mission of ensuring food safety and promoting healthy diets.
With a shared vision of helping consumers make informed food choices, India Gate Basmati Rice will work together with FSSAI to educate consumers about these new basmati standards so that they can choose the right basmati thereby protecting the interests of the consumers in getting what they pay for. Basmati rice is known for its distinct aroma, flavour, and long grains, making it a preferred choice for consumers who seek wholesome and delicious meal options.
Gupta added, “Basmati rice has distinct quality features that no other rice in the world has. Basmati is an Indian GI product. Because of extensive commercialization, there is a substantial amount of contaminated basmati on the market. These include the merging of different grains as well as the combining of artificial perfumes and colours. The primary goal is to protect the grain’s integrity, retain the authenticity of flavour and taste, and ensure that buyers get what they pay for [Pure Basmati]. We want to empower consumers to make informed decisions through our media interaction, building a deeper relationship with our brand and beliefs.”
