Food fortification refers to the addition of specific micronutrients to commonly consumed foods processed by food industries, such as rice and cereal flours, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, dairy, and other food products. Mass fortification results in additional intake of micronutrients, which can be observed by measuring changes in both intake or exposure (serum folate), or metabolic status (e.g., serum ferritin for iron) and functional outcomes (e.g., anemia). The fortification strategies used to cater either the general public or specific population groups are identified as mass food fortification or targeted fortification, respectively. Chosen fortification levels for mass fortification should not provide excessive micronutrients to consumers without micronutrient deficiencies. Targeted fortification is a form of food fortification that is aimed at specific population groups that are at higher risk of nutrient deficiencies, such as children. As the serving size is almost always controlled, the fortification contents could be higher and tailored to the nutritional requirements of the group. Vehicles for targeted fortification include blended flours (i.e., combination of cereal and legume flours), and ready-to-use therapeutic foods and ready-to-use supplementary foods.
Senegal: Major Shift for Women and Adolescent Girls' Nutrition
Brief published by Nutrition International in
This article describes the Micronutrient Initiative’s Right Start program in Senegal, funded by the Government of Canada, which aims to significantly improve nutrition for women and adolescent girls.
Evidence of the Effectiveness of Flour Fortification Programs on Iron Status and Anemia: A Systematic Review
Systematic Review published by Nutrition Reviews in
This systematic review synthesizes the evidence pertaining to the impact of government-supported, widely implemented flour fortification on iron status and anemia. Evidence from 13 studies suggests that the effectiveness of flour fortification for reducing the prevalence of anemia is limited; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness for…
Pharmaceutical Management for Micronutrients and Anemia-Reduction Medicines
Presentation/Poster published by A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project in
This presentation from the Manoff Group highlights supply chain considerations, from a pharmaceutical perspective, for medicines and supplements aimed at supplying micronutrients and combating anemia.
Iron Interventions for Women and Children in Low-Income Countries
Literature Review published by The Journal of Nutrition in
This review highlights how iron interventions might be positioned within four global health initiatives: making pregnancy safer, saving newborn lives, infant and young child feeding, and fortification.
Gap Analysis: Information Needed for Consensus on Policies and Programs to Improve Iron Nutrition
Journal Article published by A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project in
This article seeks to identify the key gaps in information that must be filled to move toward consensus on policies and programs to improve iron nutrition. The article elaborates on the evidence for efficacy and potential effectiveness of intervention strategies and highlights major obstacles of and potential risks for supplying iron to vulnerable…
National Strategy for Anaemia Prevention and Control in Bangladesh
Technical Report published by National Strategy for Anemia Prevention and Control in
This National Strategy aimed to reduce the prevalence of anemia among high-risk groups in Bangladesh by 2015 by 25 percent. The strategy identifies comprehensive interventions aimed at high-risk groups, in particular infants and young children, adolescent girls, newly wed women, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The Importance and Limitation of Food Fortification for the Management of Nutritional Anemia
Literature Review published by The Guidebook Nutritional Anemia in
This book chapter highlights important considerations with regards to food fortification and how it can be used as an approach to managing nutritional anemias. The chapter highlights how food fortification can be leveraged and discusses limitations.
Guidelines on Food Fortification with Micronutrients
Guideline/Guidance published by World Health Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in
These World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines provide practical guidance on how food fortification should be implemented, monitored, and evaluated. They are intended as a resource for governments and agencies currently implementing or considering food fortification, and as a source of information for scientists, technologists, and the food…