Comprehensive Group Standard for Millets

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    • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified a comprehensive group standard for millets w.e.f. 1st September 2023.

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    • Currently, individual standards for only a few millets like Sorghum (Jowar), whole and decorticated Pearl Millet grain (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) and Amaranth are prescribed by FSSAI in 2011. 
    • FSSAI has now framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying 8 quality parameters i.e., maximum limits for moisture content, uric acid content, extraneous matter, other edible grains, defects, weevilled grains, and immature and shrivelled grains, so as to ensure availability of good quality (standardized) millets in domestic and global markets.
    • The group standard is applicable to the following millets.:
      • 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)
      • Teff (Lovegrass)

    Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

    • FSSAI has been established under Food Safety and Standards , 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. 
    • It has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
    • The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI.

    About Millets 

    • Millets are a group of small-grained cereal food crops that are highly tolerant to drought and other extreme weather conditions and require low chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. 
    • Millets are also gluten-free; low in Glycemic Index (GI); and rich in dietary fibre and micronutrients, including calcium, iron, phosphorus etc.
    • In order to enhance awareness and promote millets, in 2018, millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals” and “2018” was designated as the National Year of Millets. 
    • Later, the United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM 2023). 

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