The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a significant step towards promoting the production and consumption of millet in India and across the world. The FSSAI has recently specified a comprehensive group standard for millets, through the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Second Amendment Regulations, 2023. The new regulations will be enforced from 1st September 2023.
Millets, which are small-grained cereal food crops, are known for their high tolerance to drought and other extreme weather conditions, and their low requirement of chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. Most millet crops are native to India and provide essential nutrients required for normal human body functioning. Additionally, millets are gluten-free, have a low Glycemic Index (GI), and are rich in dietary fiber and micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus. Bajra should be an integral part of our daily diet.
In April 2018, to raise awareness and boost the production and consumption of millets in India, they were re-branded as “Nutri-cereals” and the same year was declared the National Year of Millets. In 2020, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2023 to be the International Year of Millets (IYOM 2023). Implementing crop rotation, increasing global production, and promoting millet as a major component of the food basket, will provide an opportunity to make processing more efficient.
Standards for only a few millets such as Sorghum (Jowar), Whole and decorticated Pearl Millet grain (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi), and Amaranth are currently prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. However, the FSSAI has now framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying eight quality parameters, including maximum limits for moisture content, uric acid content, extraneous matter, Defects, weevilled grains, immature grains, and shriveled grains, as well as other edible grains. These standards will ensure the availability of good quality (standardized) millets in the domestic and global markets.
The group standard is applicable to 15 types of millets, including Amaranthus (Chaulai or Rajgira), Barnyard Millet (Samakechawal or Sanwa or Jhangora), Brown top (Korale), Buckwheat (Kuttu), Crab finger (Sikiya), Finger Millet (Ragi or Mandua), Fonio (Acha), Foxtail Millet (Kangni or Kakun), Job’s tears (Adlay), Kodo Millet (Kodo), Little Millet (Kutki), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Proso Millet (Cheena), Sorghum (Jowar), and Teff (Lovegrass).
This standardization will pave the way for making India a global hub for millet. The increased production and consumption of millets will provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, improve the nutritional status of people, and help in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a step towards building a healthy and sustainable future for India and the world.
