A Closer Look at the Millet Standards

• The year 2023 has been designated as the International Year of Millets (IYOM) , which is aimed at promoting the benefits of millets and encouraging their increased production, processing, and usage. This initiative also advocates for the inclusion of millets in our daily food intake.
• Millets are small-seeded crops known for their resilience against climate change, including extreme weather conditions and droughts.
• They require fewer resources, such as water and chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making them an environmentally friendly choice. Moreover, most millets are native to India and are packed with essential nutrients.
• Millets are an excellent dietary choice as they are rich in dietary fibre and micronutrients like calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. They are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for those with specific dietary requirements.
• The Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 currently prescribe individual standards for certain millets like Sorghum (Jowar), Whole and decorticated Pearl Millet grain (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) and Amaranth.
• FSSAI has now expanded these standards to include 15 types of millets, specifying 8 quality parameters for each. These parameters include maximum limits for moisture content, uric acid content, extraneous matter, other edible grains, defects, weevilled grains, and immature and shrivelled grains.

The newly notified FSSAI standards apply to the following 15 millets:

1. Amaranthus (Chaulai or Rajgira)
2. Barnyard Millet (Samakechawal or Sanwa or Jhangora)
3. Brown top (Korale)
4. Buckwheat (Kuttu)
5. Crab finger (Sikiya)
6. Finger Millet (Ragi or Mandua)
7. Fonio (Acha)
8. Foxtail Millet (Kangni or Kakun)
9. Job’s tears (Adlay)
10. Kodo Millet (Kodo)
11. Little Millet (Kutki)
12. Pearl Millet (Bajra)
13. Proso Millet (Cheena)
14. Sorghum (Jowar)
15. Teff (Lovegrass)

These new standards will ensure the availability of high-quality millets in both domestic and international markets. They will also contribute to the promotion and increased consumption of millets by spreading awareness about their benefits.