BIS Certification mandatory for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) Equipment Manufacturers under IS 17853:2022
Rice fortification is a process of adding the essential micronutrients to regular rice. Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) are rice-shaped kernels comprising of micronutrient premix such as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. Fortified Rice (FR) is obtained by blending FRK with polished raw or parboiled rice in the ratio of 1:100 or 2:100, which means 10 gm of FRK must be blended with 1 kg of regular rice. The Vitamin and Mineral Premix (VMP) is added to rice-based carrier to form FRK using two technologies namely extrusion and coating.
To address malnutrition, anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, the Department of Food and Public Distribution ensures that “Rice Fortification” is implemented successfully. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been developed and issued by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on 23.03.2022, in order to assure the efficient implementation of the entire rice fortification programme and to maintain the desired quality standards within the domestic supply chain.
FCI has now made it mandatory for FRK equipment manufacturers to switch over from non-BIS to BIS certified machinery within a period of 1 year from the date of notification i.e., 23.03.2022.Therefore, in order to comply with the FCI requirement of mandatory BIS certification, the manufacturers of FRK equipment should get their machinery BIS certified before 23.03.2023.
BIS has developed Indian Standard IS 17853:2022 which deals with Specifications for “Equipment for manufacture of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK)” to ensure and assure that the quality of the fortified rice kernels is not compromised. IS 17853:2022 covers the specification for machinery used for production of FRK through the process of “Extrusion”. Micro-pulverizer, Mixing unit, Extruder and Dryer are the main equipments for manufacturing FRK.
Under the IS 17853, the performance requirements along with constructional specifications have been prescribed for the following equipments:
a) Micro-pulveriser
b) Mixer
c) Extruder
d) Dryer
[A] MICRO-PULVERISER:
1. General Requirements
a) Blower of suitable size shall be provided to pass rice flour from grinder to cyclone.
b) Electric motor of suitable size shall be installed to provide required rpm(revolution per minute) to hammer and blower as per requirement.
2. Performance Requirements
a) Average particle size of rice flour shall be less than 250 μm (preferably below 150 μm).
b) Rice flour obtained after pulverization shall be free from metal or foreign impurities.
3. Components of Micro-pulveriser
1. Hopper
2. Grinding Chamber
3. Screen
4. Hammer
5. Cyclone
6. Control Panel
7. Pipes and Fittings
8. Supporting Frame
| COMPONENTS OF MICRO-PULVERIZER | ARRANGEMENT | GRADE OF MATERIAL | CONFORMING TO INDIAN STANDARD |
| Hopper | [1]The hopper shall be suitably designed to feed the broken rice in the grinding house/chamber.
[2] Hopper shall be provided with a magnet to trap metal impurities. |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Grinding Chamber | [1]Installation of screen and hammer.
[2] Grinding chamber suitably installed maintaining proper clearance with hammer and screen. [3] Suitable inlet for receiving broken rice/rice and outlet for rice flour. |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Screen | [1]Suitable wear resistant screen.
[2]Enable obtaining rice flour size of less than 250 μm (preferably 150 μm). |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Hammer | Wear resistant duly balanced special type of hammers. | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 7283 [Mandatory] |
| Cyclone | [1]Suitable connecting pipes and fittings shall be provided to attach it with grinding house/chamber.
[2] Supporting frame shall be of stainless steel. [3] Dust collecting bag/filters shall be provided to collect the fine dust releasing with exit air out of the cyclone. |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Pipes and fittings | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Supporting frame | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Control Panel | The control panel shall consist of:
[1]Feed rate controller; and [2] LCD/LED/HMI screen to control process parameters such as feed rate, level of grains in hopper, etc. *It may also have a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to record feed rate, output rate, current, voltage, power, etc. |
[B] MIXING UNIT (POWDER-MIXER)
Mixer shall be single/twin shaft paddle blender or double helical ribbon blender. Mixing chamber may be U-shaped for single shaft or W-shaped for twin shaft.
1. General Requirements
Suitable size of Electric Motor shall be installed to provide required rpm to the shaft of the mixer.
2. Performance Requirements
The mixer shall ensure proper mixing operation such that:
a) Iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 are blended uniformly in the mixture;
b) Moisture distribution is uniform without lumps; and
c) The final mixture is free from the metal impurities as per the test method given in Annex B.
Annex B- PROCEDURE- DETERMINATION OF CONTENT OF IRON PARTICLES
A known amount of (25 g) mixed flour is spread evenly on a petri dish. A powerful magnet wrapped in polythene sheet is run over the sample repeatedly to collect the iron filings/particles. The presence of iron filing/particle shows compromise of critical control parameter, and hence in the efficacy of the magnet used at various control points. Hence, at the end of the test no iron filing/particle shall be present.
3. Components of Mixing Unit
1. Mixing Chamber
2. Cover/lid
3. Shaft
4. Paddle
5. Helical Ribbon
6. Gasket
7. Supporting Frame and Structure
| COMPONENTS OF MIXING UNIT | DETAILS | GRADE OF MATERIAL | CONFORMING TO INDIAN STANDARD |
| Mixing Chamber | [1]Mixing Chamber shall be provided with water spray arrangement.
[2]It shall be provided with lump breaking arrangement to break the lumps formed during mixing. [3]Water dosing unit of mixing unit should be provided with: a) Suitable arrangement to spray water, b) Water dosing pump, and c) Automatic flow control system. [4] Mixing unit should be provided with automatic feeding unit(VMP dosing unit) for VMP mixture. |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Cover/lid | Cover/lid shall be provided with a food-grade gasket to avoid spillage of material. | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Shaft | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Paddle | Paddles, (if provided) shall have
a) Square or b) Rectangular or c) Triangular paddle with connecting rod suitably mounted on the shaft. |
Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Helical Ribbon | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Gasket | Cover/lid shall be provided with a food-grade gasket to avoid spillage of material. | Food grade rubber
|
IS 7466 [Voluntary] |
| Supporting Frame and Structure | Stainless steel grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Control Panel | The control panel shall consist of:
[1] Feed rate controller; and [2] LCD/LED/HMI screen to control process parameters such as feed rate, level of grains in hopper, etc. *It may also have a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to record feed rate, output rate, current, voltage, power, etc. |
[C] EXTRUDER
1. General Requirements
a)Electric motor of suitable size shall be installed to provide required rpm to operate extruder, feeding screw and cutter;
b) Extruder shall have provision of heating and cooling; and
c) Extruder shall be equipped with temperature sensors at each zone.
2. Performance Requirements
The size and weight of FRK obtained from extruder should be uniform.
3. Components of Extruder
1. Barrel
2. Extruder Screw
3. Die Head
4. Die
5. Cutter
6. Body Cover
7. Supporting Frame and Structure
8. Feeder
| COMPONENTS OF EXTRUDER | DETAILS | GRADE OF MATERIAL | CONFORMING TO INDIAN STANDARD |
| Barrel | [1] Type of barrel may be used:
a) Square or b) Circular [2]Suitable heaters should be used in each section to heat the barrel at a given temperature. [3] The temperature should be automatically controlled as per the set conditions. |
Wearing, abrasion and corrosion resistant, food grade nitriding steel of grade EN41B or 38CrMoAl or any other similar material | Annex C of this standard |
| Extruder Screw | [1]Extruder may be provided with:
a) Single or b) Multi-screw element positioned on the shaft. [2]It should be properly designed to convey material from feed to die section. [3] It should be wear-resistant, suitable to sustain high pressure. |
Wearing, abrasion and corrosion resistant, food grade nitriding steel of grade EN41B or 38CrMoAl or any other similar material.
|
Annex C of this standard |
| Die Head | [1] Die head of extruder shall be suitably designed to hold die.
[2]It shall be provided with temperature and pressure sensor. |
Wearing, abrasion and corrosion resistant, food grade nitriding steel of grade EN41B or 38CrMoAl | Annex C of this standard |
| Die | The die opening shall be such that kernels should not stick together while cutting. | Stainless steel of grade X04Cr19Ni9N
or Die steel |
IS 6911 [Mandatory]
or IS 3748 [Mandatory |
| Cutter | The cutter speed shall be adjustable with rated extruder screw speed. | Stainless steel of grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] |
| Body Cover | Stainless steel of grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Supporting Frame and Structure | Stainless steel of grade X04Cr19Ni9 | IS 6911 [Mandatory] | |
| Feeder | Feeder of extruder shall be of single/ twin-screw type with precise control depending upon the capacity. It shall be provided with suitably designed hopper to deliver wet material to screws. | ||
| Control Panel | Control panel of the extruder shall be provided with:
[1] Control system for temperature, screw speed, feed rate, cutter speed; and [2] LCD/LED/HMI screen to control process parameters. [3] The extruder may also be provided with SCADA system to record torque, die pressure, barrel zone, die head temperature, cutter speed, output capacity. |
ANNEX C- WEARING, ABRASION AND CORROSION RESISTANT, FOOD GRADE NITRIDING STEEL PROPERTY
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
The steel shall conform to the following chemical composition (in percent):
| C | 0.35-0.42 |
| Si | 0.20-0.45 |
| Mn | 0.30-0.60 |
| Cr | 1.35-1.65 |
| Md | 0.15-0.25 |
| Al | 0.7-1.1 |
| P | 0.035, Max |
| S | 0.035, Max |
The analysis of the steel shall be carried out according to IS 228 and its relevant parts or any other established instrumental/chemical method. In case of dispute, the procedure given in IS 228 and its relevant parts shall be referee method.
[D] DRYER
1. The dryer shall be of continuous electrical type with multilayer vibratory arrangement of required capacity.
2. Dryer shall perform in such a way that colour change and fissure formation shall be avoided.
3. Belt of dryer shall be made of food grade material.
4. Dryer shall have suitable heating and cooling arrangement to control temperature and relative humidity.
5. Blower of suitable size shall be installed for controlling the airflow in the dryer.
6. Dryer shall be equipped with temperature sensors, airflow meter and relative humidity (RH) sensors.
1. General Requirements
Suitable size of electric motor shall be installed to operate belt conveyors and blowers of the dryer.
2. Performance Requirements
a) The FRK obtained after drying shall not have more than 12% moisture by mass.
b) The FRK obtained after drying shall be free from fissures.
c) The FRK obtained after drying shall not show any colour change in FRK.
d) The FRK obtained after drying shall be free from metal impurities and foreign matter.
3. Additional Requirement
A magnetic-separator arrangement should be provided to check for metallic matter or any other arrangement or equipment required to produce FRK as per IS 17782.
Conclusion:
In order to maintain the grain density, shape, and size, FRK manufacturers are mandatorily required to have BIS certified machinery as per IS 17853.Also, the manufacturers of FRK machine should purchase all the equipment parts from only BIS certified vendor.
***
No.QC.34 (2)/Fortification of Rice/ 2021
Dated: 23.03.2022
The Executive Director (Zone),
Food Corporation of India,
Zonal Office:- (North)/(South)/(East)/(West)/(North-East)
Noida/Chennai/Kolkata/Mumbai/Guwahati.
The General Manager (Region)
Food Corporation of India,
Regional Office, Delhi/Jammu & Kashmir/Rajasthan/Himachal Pradesh/ Punjab /Haryana /Uttrakhand/Uttar Pradesh/Arunachal Pradesh/Manipur/Meghalaya/Mizoram/Nagaland/Tripura /Assam/Maharashtra/Madhya Pradesh/ Gujarat /Chhattisgarh /Jharkhand /Bihar /West Bengal /Odisha/Karnataka/Kerala/TamilNadu/Andhra Pradesh/Telangana.
Sub: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for quality management protocols for Fortified Rice
Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR)-reg.
Ref: MoCAF&PD Letter no. 36-5/2018-QCC (Part I) dated 15.03.2022.
Sir,
Please find enclosed herewith letter no. 36-5/2018-QCC (Part I) dated 15.03.2022 received from Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, New Delhi forwarding therewith Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for quality management protocols for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR), formulated by DFPD in order to maintain the quality of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR).
The highlights of the SoP, which are to be complied are hereas under-:
1. The manufacturers will be given a time period of one (1) year to switch over from non-BIS to BIS certified machinery.
2. Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is to be obtained from an independent third party NABL accredited laboratory under section 43 of FSS Act 2006 and FSS Regulation, 2018.
3. FRK manufacturers will strictly maintain the records of CoAs, other test records & FRK standardization count/BET etc. A test check will be done to verify the self-certification procedure adopted by FRK manufacturers (format for self-certification enclosed as Annexure) by S&R division of DFPD. FCI shall also test check these records at the time of procurement.
4. Millers should get +F logo endorsed from FSSAI. All bags of fortified rice offered for procurement to the procuring agencies must bear blue colored +F logo stenciled on it as well as on rexin slips. The offered lot of fortified CMR should be uniformly blended with FRK (1:100).
5. The rice millers must ensure the receipt of CoA for each consignment of FRK obtained by FRK manufacturer by an independent third party FSSAI notified laboratory.
6. A minimum of 10% samples may be referred to FSSAI approved NABL accredited labs to check the level of micronutrients on monthly basis by the procurement agencies i.e. FCl/State procurement agencies (as the case may be) before sending it for distribution under various social security schemes of GoI, within its shelf life. In this context, FCI circular issued vide letter no. QC 19/R&D/Fortification of Rice/2019/pt. dated 04.03.2022 may also be referred to.
7. All the responsibilities are lying with FCI, for the stocks delivered to agency.
8. To ensure the good quality FRK is used for blending, the FCl/State procurement agencies concerned shall get random samples (atleast 10%) drawn directly from the fortified rice prepared by the mills and get them tested from FSSAI approved NABL accredited labs for micronutrient content on monthly basis before sending its distribution under various schemes of GoI in a balanced and integrated manner to accomplish the nutritional gaps.
9. Composite samples should be sent to FSSAI empanelled NABL accredited labs for testing within a week of sample collection.
10. All other instructions/guidelines, mentioned under the operational guidelines of Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under PDS are also applicable on FRK manufacturers/rice millers/FCI/Stat Agencies/FSSAI etc.
It is requested that the said SOP for quality management protocols for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) may be brought to the notice of all stake holders including State Govt. & its Agencies, FRK manufacturers, Rice millers, field functionaries for strict compliance scrupulously.
The said SOP is applicable with immediate effect.
Yours faithfully,
Encl:- As Above.
(R. K. Sinha)
Dy. General Manager (QC)
For Chief General Manager (QC)
Copy to-
- The General Manager (Sales/Procurement), FCI, Hqrs., New Delhi…for favour of information please.
For Chief General Manager (QC)
36-5/2018-QCC(Part)
Government of India,
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution,
Department of Food & Public Distribution
(Quality Control Cell)
Krishilthavan, New Delhi
Dated: 15.03.2022
To,
The Secretary,
Food and Civil Supplies Department,
Government of…………………
(All States Government/ UT Administration)
Sub: Standard Operating Procedure (S.O.P) for Quality Management Protocols for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) -reg.
Madam/Sir,
I am directed to forward herewith Standard Operating Procedure (S.O.P) for Quality Management Protocols for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) formulated by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, in order to maintain the quality of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR). Further, the State Governments may ensure strict compliance of the S.O.P so as to provide good quality Fortified Rice (FR) to the beneficiaries. The said SOP is applicable with immediate effect.
2. This issues with the approval of Secretary (F&PD).
Your Faithfully,
(Visliwajeet Haldar)
Deputy Commissioner (S&R)
Tel: 23384784
Copy to:-
1. PPS to Secretary (F&PD), Department of Food and PD, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. Senior PPS to Secretary, Department of Expenditure, North Block, New Delhi.
3. PPS to Secretary, Department of School Education, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
4. PPS to Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Shastri Bhawan, New-Delhi
5. The Director General, BIS, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi.
6. The Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI,FDA Bhawan, New Delhi.
7. The Chief Executive Officer, NIT! Aayog, New Delhi
8. PPS to AS & FA, Department of Food and PD, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
9. PPS to JS (Policy & FCI)/ JS (BP &PD)/ JS (Storage)/ JS (Impex & IC)
10. The Chairman & Managing Director, Food Corporation of India, New Delhi.
11. Executive Director (QC), FC1 HQ, New Delhi
12. All Executive Director (Zones), FCI.
13.Managing Director, CWC, New Delhi-for necessary action, please.
14. Director (P)/ Director (FCI)/Director (PD)/Director (Finance)
15. All QCC/IGMRI offices.
16. US (Py. 1,11, Ill, IV)/US (FC A/c).
17. AD (S&1)/AD (QC)/AD (Lab).
18. Director (Technical), NlC with a request to put the information on the Ministry’s website.
Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Quality Management Protocols for Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR),
Background: To address the anemia and micronutrient deficiency in the country, Government of India approved the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System. Further, the Department of Food and Public Distribution in consultation with Ministry of Women and Child Development and Department of School Education and Literacy has decided to scale up the distribution of fortified rice in all Integrated Child Development Scheme, (ICDS) and PM POSHAN (erstwhile MDM scheme) schemes from April 2021 in a phased manner leveraging domestic supply chain through Food Corporation of India (FC1)/State as the case may be.
Since both ICDS and PM POSHAN schemes cater to the vulnerable population of Women and Children, in view of this, it becomes of immense importance that the minimum threshold parameters fixed for quality standards of FRK should be in line with various levels under entire supply chain i.e. production to distribution. The ultimate objective is to curtail the chronic nutritional deficiencies.
The level-wise details on the SoP are as under:
Level 1: Production of FRK
At the level of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) Manufacturer/ Supplier:
1.1 FRK manufacturers should have FSSAI License/registration as well as quality certification such as 1SO: 22000 etc.
1.2 Empanelment of FRK manufacturers may be done for an initial period of three years, which will be reviewed on a yearly basis by an independent third party.
1.3 FRK manufacturer should procure the premix for FRK production from the premix supplier/vendors having valid FSSAI license of 99.5 food categories as well as empanelled with FSSAI.
1.4 The FRK manufacturer may follow the standards as prescribed in United States pharmacopeia (USP) / IS / WFP — Technical Specifications for Micronutrient Powder etc till the time, the standards for vitamins and minerals premix are developed by FSSAI.
1.5 The chemical salt of the vitamin and minerals, used for FRK production, should be in line with the ones mentioned in FSSAI guidelines (Iron : Mecronized Ferric Pyrophosphate or Sodium Iron (Ill) Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate Trihydrate (Sodium feredetate – Na Fe EDTA); Folic Acid – Folic acid; Vitamin B12 – Cyanocobalamine or Hydroxycobalamine). All the premix material must be stored dry cool ventilated and hygienic conditions away from direct sun light.
1.6 The clean broken rice at an initial moisture content of 11-12% is ground to flour of particle size 60 or more than 60 mesh. The rice flour is very hygroscopic in nature, hence the raw material and final produce need to handle to control the moisture as per Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) mentioned under Section 11- “Technical Guidelines ” of Pilot
Scheme for Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System”I Technical Hand-out on Fortification of Rice, FSSAI.
1.7 Potable water shall be used for mixing of ingredients (complying Indian Standards for Potable Water Standards IS 10500: 2012 with up to date amendments).
1.8 FSSAI approved emulsifiers / acid regulators / antioxidants shall be used as per the allowances prescribed in Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
1.9 FSSAI, has been formulated Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Fortified Rice Kernels Production, the same should also be followed.
1.10 The level of micronutrients in FRIC should have at least a middle/mean value as per Bureau of Standards (BIS) under IS 17782:2021 “Fortified Rice Kernels-Speqfication”. These levels as per present standards are:
Iron – 3525 mg/kg
Folic Acid – 10,000 micro-grant/kg
Vitamin B 12 – 100 micro-gram/kg
1.11 Sanctity of the raw material/fortifiers/ingredients used for FRK production should be verified by the State Authorities/Food Safety Officers (FSO) on regular basis.
1.12 BIS approved equipment/machinery via IS 17853: 2022, “Equipment for Manufacture of Fortified Rice kernel-Specification” should be adopted by the FRK manufacturers to maintain the grain density, shape, size etc. In addition, Colour/texture to be aligned with the locally procured/consumed varieties in a particular
State/Area.
1.13 The manufacturers will be given a time period of one (1) year to switch over from non-BIS to BIS certified machinery.
1.14 Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is to be obtained from an independent third party NABL accredited laboratory under section 43 of FSS Act 2006 and FSS Regulation, 2018.
1.15 FRK manufacturer will obtain a COA for each batch from an independent third party NABL accredited lab along with self certification. The batch may be defined based on the Quality Management System (QMS). The QMS should be in accordance with the FSSAI Manual on General Guidelines on Sampling- 2016.
1.16 FEW manufacturers will strictly maintain the records of COAs, other test records & FRK standardisation count/BET etc. A test check will be done to verify the self certification procedure adopted by FRK manufacturer (format for self certification enclosed as Annexure) by S&R Division of DFPD. FCI may also test check these records at the time of procurement.
1.17 All the standards/protocols specified under the operational guidelines of the pilot scheme should be in line at the end of empanelled FRK producers, before its delivery to the rice millers producing fortified rice.
Level 2: Blending of FRK with Conventional Rice
At the level of Rice Millers Producing Fortified Rice:
Pre-requisites:
2.1 The rice miller should have a valid milling license and a valid license for processing of fortified rice under food category 6.0 of Indian Food Categorization System (Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006).
2.2 The millers should procure FRK directly from, FSSAI licensed/registered FRK manufacturers.
2.3 Millers should have Automatic Blending Machine having the standards prescribed by BIS i.e. IS 17854: 2022 to ensure accurate blending at a ratio of 1:100.
2.4 FSSAI, has been formulated Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Fortified Rice Manufacturers, the same should also be followed.
2.5 Millers should get +F logo endorsed from FSSAI. All bags of fortified rice offered for procurement to the procuring agencies must bear blue coloured +F logo stencilled on it as well as on rexin slips. The offered lot of fortified CMR should be uniformly blended with FRK (1:100).
2.6 At the level of rice mill, QAJQC can be done through blending efficiency count.
2.7 The rice millers must ensure the receipt of CoA for each consignment of FRK obtained by FRK manufacturer by an independent third party FSSAI notified laboratory.
Testing of Quality Standards of Fortified Rice:
Qualitative testing:
2.8 During the production of fortified rice, quality checks should be done through blending efficiency counts conducted on hourly basis and proper record should be maintained.
Quantitative testing:
2.9 Rice millers should maintain batch wise record of FRK procurement and its usage for rice fortification as per CoA obtained from the FRK manufacturers.
2.10 In order to ensure that only good quality FRK is used for blending, the state procurement agency concerned may get random samples drawn directly from the fortified rice prepared by the mills and get them tested from any FSSAI approved NABL accredited labs.
2.11 Rice Millers will also be ensuring about packaging protocols of fortified rice as per FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Guidelines, related to packaging and Stencilling for proper identification of fortified rice stock.
2.12 Rice millers should make provisions for internal audit once in six month and external audit once in a year for maintaining the quality management system.
Level 3: Procurement of Fortified rice by FCl/ State Agencies as the case may be: At the time of Tendering/Empanelment and Formalising Contract
3.1 FCl/ State Agencies should specify all pre-requisites including blending ratio (millers.1:100) of FRK with conventional rice, availability of CoA, validated FSSAI license of rice etc. in their tenders to ensure uniformity and ease the QA/QC protocols.
3.2 Procuring agency (FCl/State agency as the case may be) may use the range of (±)10% for blending efficiency for their operational ease.
3.3 A minimum of 10% samples may be referred to FSSAI approved NABL accredited labs to check the level of micronutrients on monthly basis by the procurement agencies i.e. FCl/State procurement agencies (as the case may be) before sending it for distribution under various social security schemes of GoI, within its shelf life.
At the time of Sourcing Fortified Rice from Millers
3.4 Fortified rice consignments are to be checked by the quality control personnel of procuring agencies/Ministry as per the existing procedure for analysis of food grains (BIS methods with latest version/up to date amendments).
3.5 All the responsibilities are lying with FCI, for the stocks delivered to agency.
3.6 For stocks procured by State agencies, the primary responsibility will be with the agency concerned. However, this aspect may be cross checked during the inspections to be conducted by Ministry and FCI as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for inspection of DCP stocks.
3.7 The sourcing agency should check the blending ratio of each consignment at the time of acceptance to ensure that, whether prescribed quantity of FRK is blended with the conventional rice to make it fortified.
3.8 The fortified rice and FRK is separated physically and FRK is weighed/counted to check blending efficiency. In order to check blending efficiency, sample size of 50 gms is suggested to get a uniform result.
3.9 In case there is problem in physical separation, a chemical test (Iron Spot Test) may also be done to identify the number of FRKs in a test sample of fortified rice.
Secondly, to ensure that good quality FRK is used for blending, the FCUState procurement agencies concerned may get random samples (at least 10%) drawn directly from the fortified rice prepared by the mills and get them tested from any FSSAI approved NABL accredited labs for micronutrient content on monthly/quarterly basis before sending its distribution under various schemes of GoI in a balanced and integrated manner to accomplish the nutritional gaps.
Moreover, all the provisions, which are defined and circulated on dated 16.07.2021 through the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for monitoring quality of foodgrains stocks procured under Decentralized Procurement (DCP) Scheme, will also be applicable.
Role of State/ District Authorities (Food Safety)
3.10 State oversight is necessary at every step of rice fortification. District Collector will ensure the smooth implementation of the whole scheme.
3.11 A proper milling agreement is to be executed between State Food Department and rice millers for milling of paddy with separate clause to be inserted regarding packaging/stenciling of +F logo on jute bag and rexin slip.
3.12 If the state agencies are involved in procurement of FRK, the same may be carried out by floating limited tenders or through GeM from any of the empanelled suppliers.
3.13 Use of FRK for blending with conventional rice may be permitted only upon validation of the CoA of FRK in terms of appropriate micronutrient levels and microbiological specifications by the officials of State/District Food & Civil Supply Department responsible for quality control.
3.14 State and District authorities should undertake random inspection visits at the rice mills to check if the rice miller is adhering to the QA/QC protocols and all documents are in line. The samples of fortified rice may also be lifted for analysis at FSSAI empanelled NABL accredited Labs.
Role of FSSAI (Food Safety Officers)
3.15 Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) a unit of FSSAI, which is functioning as a resource hub for fortification will provide any kind of assistance to the FBO, Millers, States, ICI etc/facilitate training & capacity building (FBO’s, rice millers, FPS owners, FSO’s etc.) and monitor & evaluate the programme with support from development partners.
3.16 Mapping of NABL accredited labs under the states which may test the various quality parameters of FRK & FR.
3.17 Sampling from empanelled FRK manufacturers and rice millers for micronutrients analysis at least in each quarter.
3.18 The promotional and regulatory role of FSO may be as per the “Guidebook of Food Fortifications for Food Safety Officers”.
3.19 Quality inspection visits should be made at the FRK manufacturing site, Rice mills during the production of FRK and fortified rice by the Food Safety Officer (FSO) employed with FSSAI.
3.20 The Food Safety Officer (FSO) should pick random samples from the mill and from fair price shops to ensure the quality of fortified rice (such that it covers all the shops and mills under his/her supervision in a quarter).
Other considerations for Sampling and testing fortified rice
3.21 Blending efficiency test should be performed every hour by preparing a composite sample. The composite sample should be collected from 10-15 bags randomly every hour during production and blending efficiency test should then be performed. Sample should always be taken before the weighment and stitching.
3.22 Composite samples should be sent to FSSAI empanelled NABL accredited labs for testing within a week of sample collection.
- As per Clause no. 2.4.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011, the sample shall be dispatched forthwith in the following manner:
- The sealed container of one part of sample for analysis along with memorandum in Form VI shall be sent in a sealed packet to food analyst under appropriate condition to retain the integrity of the sample.
- The sealed container of second and third parts of the sample and two copies of memorandum in Form VI shall be sent to Designated Officer by any suitable means.
- The sealed container of the remaining fourth part of the sample and a copy of memorandum in Form VI shall be sent to an accredited laboratory along with fee prescribed by Authority, if so requested by the Food Business Operator. under intimation to the Designated Officer, provided that the fourth part also shall be deposited with Designated Officer if F130 does not request to send the sample to an accredited lab.
All other instructions/guidelines, mentioned under the operational guidelines of Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under PDS are also applicable on FRK manufacturers/Rice Millers/FCl/State agencies/FSSAI etc.
Annexure
Format for Self Assessment Certificate
Name of the Laboratory: ________________________________________________
NABL Accreditation no.: ________ dated__________ Validity upto____________
FSSAI License no.: _________ dated___________ Validity upto_______________
Name of Manufacturer:___________________ Details of Sample:
FSSAl No._______________________________ i. Date of sampling:___________
Address:________________________________ ii. Date of Submission of sample:_
Contact no.:____________________________ iii. Date of Analysis:___________
Capacity: __________ tons/hr. iv. Batch no.:__________________
v. Representing Batch:_________
vi. Sample weight (gms):__________
Details of Testing:
| Micronutrient | Reference Range | Test Value | Reference Test method | Test method followed |
| Iron (Micronized Ferric Pyrophosphate) | 2800-4250 mg/kg | AOAC 944.02 or AACC 40-70.01 (Total iron present in ferric form by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy or AOAC 984.27 (using ICP Emission)) |
||
| Folic Acid | 7500-12500 µg/kg | AOAC 992.05 or EN 14131 (using microbiological extraction) |
||
| Vitamin B12
(Cyanocobalamine or |
75-125 µg/kg | IS 16640 |
FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA
No. QC19/R&D/Fortification of Rice/2019/Pt.
Dated: 22.02.2022
The General Manager (Region),
Food Corporation of India,
Regional Office,
Chandigarh/ Paneltkula/ Lucknow /Jaipur/Shimla/J&,K/ Dehradun/ New Delhi/ Mumbai
/Ahmedabad/ Raipur/ Bhopal/ Kolkata / Patna /Bhubaneshwar/ Ranchi/Bangalore/
Trivandrum/ Chennai / Hyderabad/Telangana / Guwahati/Shillong/ Dimapur/
Itanagar/Manipur.
Subject: Analysis of Fortified Rice Samples in procuring regions – reg.
In supersession to this office letter of even no. dated 13.04.2021, the following guidelines be followed while drawing samples for analysis of fortified rice in procuring regions.
1. In procuring Regions where the Fortified Rice arc accepted, samples from a minimum of 10% of miller-wise stocks accepted, shall be referred to FSSAI approved NABL accredited lab for testing of fortificant level in Fortified Rice as per the standards of FSSAI on monthly basis.
2. If, the analysis result of fortified rice does not confirm to the prescribed standards of FSSAI, the analysis result be communicated to the miller concerned for lifting of the stock from godown as the stock is rejected as per analysis result and to be replaced by miller at his risk and cost. State Govt. and its agencies be informed accordingly. Testing of samples should be completed within 45 days from the date of acceptance of the stock from where sample is drawn. In the A-note, remarks be mentioned that the consignment is accepted subject to confirmation of fortificant level as prescribed by FSSAI from NABL Lab.
3. The designated lab shall ensure testing of mandatory fortificants as per stipulated test method mentioned by FSSAL The records of such lab results shall be maintained in the Division/Depot including Certificate of Analysis (CoA). The copy of analysis results shall be shared with the consignee Depot/Divisional offices at the time of dispatch of fortified rice from procuring region to consuming regions.
4. Every package of fortified rice (gunny bags) should contain a stenciled statement “People with Thalassemia may take under medical supervision” and also carry a tag line “Sampoorna Poshan Swasth Jeovan” under the F+logo.
Copy to:
Yours fait fully,
(R. K. Jena)
Asstt, General Manager (QC)
For Chief General Manager (QC)
Executive Director (Zone), FCI, Zonal Office Last/West/North/South/North-East… for information and necessary action please.
For Chief General Manager (OC)
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
The article has been jointly authored by Ms. Ruchika Agarwal and Ms. Swati Sitani of Mind Sync Business Solutions.
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