India, July 17 -- Believe it or not, even if you live in one of the sunniest countries in the world, you don't seem to be immune to vitamin D deficiency in India. The science is clear: a significant proportion of the population is vitamin D deficient, even in the sun year-round. The high time spent indoors, air pollution, clothing, and a diet that naturally lacks vitamin D are among the factors that have led to what many experts call a "silent public health problem."

Against this backdrop, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has allowed the first plant-derived vitamin D3 ingredient for use in health foods, nutraceuticals, and fortified foods. The approval is an important step because vitamin D3 is usually derived fro...