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.
Benefits of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements for Child Nutrition and Survival Warrant Moving to Scale
Journal Article published by Nature Food in
This editorial presents the benefits of Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements as a highly cost-effective intervention to reduce relative risk of mortality, severe wasting and stunting, iron deficiency anemia, and developmental delay between the age of 6 and 23 months.
Fortified Balanced Energy-Protein Supplementation, Maternal Anemia, and Gestational Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial among Pregnant Women in Rural Burkina Faso
Journal Article published by Journal of Nutrition in
The study assessed the efficacy of a micronutrient-fortified balanced energy-protein supplement on the secondary outcomes of anemia, and measures of gestational weight gain as compared with an iron–folic acid tablet.
Dietary Approaches to Iron Deficiency Prevention in Childhood—A Critical Public Health Issue
Journal Article published by Nutrients in
This review describes the need for effective measures of iron deficiency prevention in children under five years of age, including dietary diversification of foods, food fortification, and iron supplementation.
Large-Scale Staple Food Fortification as a Complementary Strategy to Address Vitamin and Mineral Vulnerabilities in India: A Critical Review
Journal Article published by Indian Journal Public Health in
Large-scale food fortification was safe with current dietary intake and deficiencies and in areas with low coverage of other interventions. Researchers stressed the importance of effective monitoring and regular dietary surveys.
Nutrition‐Specific Interventions for Preventing and Controlling Anaemia Throughout the Life Cycle: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Systematic Review published by Cochrane Library in
This review of reviews summarizes the evidence from systematic reviews regarding the benefits or harms of nutrition‐specific interventions for preventing and controlling anaemia in anemic or non‐anemic, apparently healthy populations throughout the life cycle.
Reducing the Burden of Anemia and Neural Tube Defects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Analysis to Identify Countries with an Immediate Potential to Benefit from Large-Scale Mandatory Fortification of Wheat Flour and Rice
Technical Report published by Nutrition International in
The paper identifies 18 low- and middle-income countries with the highest and most immediate potential for large-scale wheat flour and/or rice fortification in terms of health and human capital impact and economic benefit.
Can Double Fortification of Salt with Iron and Iodine Reduce Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Iron Deficiency, Iodine Deficiency, and Functional Outcomes? Evidence of Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Safety
Journal Article published by Journal of Nutrition in
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and gray literature examining the effects of double fortified salt on nutritional status, cognition, work productivity, development, and morbidity of all population groups
Predicted Effects and Cost-Effectiveness of Wheat Flour Fortification for Reducing Micronutrient Deficiencies, Maternal Anemia, and Neural Tube Defects in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon
Journal Article published by Food and Nutrition Bulletin in
This paper presents estimates of the cost-effectiveness of a mandatory wheat flour fortification program for reducing cases of micronutrient deficiencies of iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B12, anemia and neural tube defects, and disability-adjusted life years in urban Cameroon.