Government lays standards for basmati rice; w.e.f. 1 August 2023
Could cause short-term pain but long-term gain for Indian basmati exporters
Following years of accusations that basmati rice from India, the largest exporter in the world, lacks standards and is at times adulterated, the government of India has notified regulatory standards which will come into effect from 1 August 2023.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified the identity standards for basmati Rice (including brown, milled, parboiled and milled parboiled) vide Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2023.
According to these standards, basmati rice shall possess natural fragrance and be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances. These standards also specify 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.
This is likely to increase brand India in the rice market globally, and buttress India’s leadership in the global basmati rice market. Basmati rice consumption in India has also grown significantly, with shops flooded with packaged basmati rice across the country.
The government said, “In order to ensure supply of standardised genuine basmati rice in domestic and export markets, FSSAI has notified regulatory standards for basmati rice that have been framed through extensive consultations with the concerned government departments / agencies and other stakeholders as well.”
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