Iron deficiency anemia is one of the major health issues globally affecting as many as 2 billion people worldwide, especially pregnant women and infants. The problem of iron deficiency arrives because we are unable to fulfill their daily need for iron intake. Government and NGOs are constantly working together to resolve this issue. One of the best solution is Food Fortification, which a safe and proven way to deal with anemia at global level.
What is food fortification?
Fortification is the addition of nutrients at levels higher than those found in the original or comparable Food. The food that carries the nutrient is vehicle and the nutrient added is fortificant. The most efficient way to of preventing and treating iron deficiency anemia is through fortification of food product with the form of iron that is readily absorbed by body.
Need for food fortification
In India, 70% of people fail to consume enough micronutrient such as minerals like iron. Very large number of school going children does not get the right amount of iron from their regular diet. Thus fortification of food is the right technique to fight with iron deficiency, particularly where major population is facing the issue.
The most vulnerable groups affected by anemia are:
- Women who are pregnant or in breastfeeding stage
- Adolescent girls and boys
- Infants & preschool children
- School age children
What are the benefits of food fortification?
- It’s cost effective strategy.
- It is a long-term approach for control of micronutrient malnutrition
- Reaches all segments of target population
- Easy to implement and to follow.
Key Elements of successful food fortification:
- Policy support
- Feasibility and safety
- Multiple sector investment
- Economics and Marketing incentives
- Information, education, communication
- Monitoring the micronutrient level
- Sustainability
- Food regulatory system
It is also very important to use the stable iron fortificant which would help for a successive food fortification program and there comes a most stable form of elemental iron called electrolytic iron powder for food fortification. It is most, economical, highly purify, no sensory or organoleptic changes, stable, easy to test and use type of iron fortificant available in the world.
The overall effect of food fortification
Food fortification is not only responsible for growth in the overall nutrition of a population, but it is also a key to the improved economy. If the food and the beverages that we consume on a daily basis are added with minerals, it will help people to meet their daily vitamin and mineral need, especially to the people who have poor appetite and who cannot afford high quality food.
Conclusion:
Food fortification is a simple and proven solution to fight with iron deficiency in the world. IMP provides best quality food grade electrolytic iron powder, which is very economical, stable and of high purity for food fortification.
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