PROGRESS IN FOOD FORTIFICATION…Over two decades after, where are we?
It is already over two decades since the food fortification program, an industry-based micronutrient intervention program, commenced with wheat flour, sugar, edible oils, and salt as the major vehicles under the mandatory program.
To date, the impact of the program has appeared considerably low, especially with the huge numbers of the population still trapped in the malnutrition web, particularly in the vulnerable groups. This is attributable to various factors such as poor communication and awareness, low inclusiveness of the informal sector, low consumer demand for fortified foods, poor industry compliance in the absence of government incentives, commoditization and poor stability of micronutrient premixes, paucity of funding for local research activities and training, as well as inadequate monitoring and evaluation, all of which are necessary for program sustainability and ownership.
There is a need for a comprehensive documentation of the historical overview of the initiative to give the right perspective, and to guide similar interventions in the future to avoid ‘re-inventing the wheel’. It is also imperative to evaluate the impact of the program considering the enormous investments made by major stakeholders such as government, industry, and various partners. The rationale for the emergence of Rice, Bouillon cubes and Tomato paste as additional vehicles, now being strongly considered for guided voluntary/mandatory fortification, to increase the coverage and reach of the program is discussed in line with the realization that current food vehicles have not reached the target population as expected. The need to redesign the program for increased reach and efficiency is suggested for better impact. For more information, please visit:
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