About
Ajara Ghansal is a traditional non-basmati aromatic rice landrace (Oryza sativa L.) with small grains and excellent cooking qualities, cultivated exclusively in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, India, owing to the unique micro-climate required for its characteristic aroma and grain quality. It is consumed as a whole grain staple food and is prized for its distinctive fragrance and taste.
Safety summary
As a whole-grain cereal, Ajara Ghansal rice carries no known specific toxicological risks for the general adult population; it is a natural, unprocessed food ingredient with no regulated additives or identified harmful compounds. Like all rice varieties, it contains carbohydrates and should be consumed in moderation by individuals managing blood glucose. No IARC classification, ADI, or special safety restrictions apply to this ingredient.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Ajara Ghansal falls under FSSAI's general standards for non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa). FSSAI has specific identity standards for Basmati rice but not a dedicated standard for this landrace. It is traded legally as a traditional variety under general cereal/grain regulations. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been associated with Ajara Ghansal rice from Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, though no dedicated FSSAI additive or safety regulation exists for this whole-grain variety.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FSSAI. Regulatory Standards for Basmati Rice – FSSAI Gazette Notification, 2023. fssai.gov.in
- 2PubMed. Genetic improvement of two Indian non-basmati aromatic rice landraces through physical and chemical mutagenesis, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Evaluation of indigenous aromatic rice cultivars from sub-Himalayan Terai region of India for nutritional attributes and blast resistance, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitrogen regulates aroma biochemistry in fragrant rice, 2019. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
