WHO takes action on food fortification to tackle global crisis of hidden hunger

30 May 2023 --- The 76th World Health Assembly – a forum by The World Health Organization (WHO) – has adopted a new resolution to urge member states to address the issue of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly folate, iron, vitamin A and zinc by fortifying foods. Hidden hunger affects half of preschool-aged children and 67% of reproductive women, the organization stresses. 

Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to spina bifida or other neural tube defects. Meanwhile, it can also result in a fragile immune system, blindness, diminished exercise and physical deficiencies. The WHO stresses that large-scale food fortification is a part of the solution.

“Mothers with low micronutrients can have babies prematurely or with low birth weight. Iodine deficiency is still prevalent in many countries and it impairs brain development in children, undermining their ability to learn and their eventual productivity,” says the WHO.

Nutritional adequacy is crucial in the first stage of life. Anke Sentko, VP of regulatory affairs and nutrition communication at Beneo, recently told NutritionInsight that vitamins A, B12, B6, D, C, zinc, copper, iron and selenium play a role in supporting the biochemical pathways necessary for the immune response.

The project has been ongoing for decades and collaborations have occurred at community, country and regional levels.The solution
Adding essential vitamins and minerals to flours made of wheat and maize flours, rice, oils and other food items can help countries prevent people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies and prevent future populations from experiencing the same, the WHO claims.

“Fortification is an evidence-informed intervention that contributes to preventing, reducing and controlling micronutrient deficiencies. It can be used to correct a demonstrated micronutrient deficiency in the general population (mass or large-scale fortification) or in specific population groups (targeted fortification) such as children, pregnant women and the beneficiaries of social protection programs.”

The organization further says that large-scale food fortification is recommended as its a “powerful evidence-informed and cost-effective intervention to fight the consequences of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including iodine deficiency disorders, anemia and iron deficiency and neural tube defects, among others.”

The project has been ongoing for decades and collaborations have occurred at community, country and regional levels.

Countries at the forefront
Driven by the European Union’s 27 member states, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Israel, Malaysia and Paraguay, the resolution received support from 50 organizations who jointly signed a letter to accelerate efforts on food fortification with micronutrients.

It’s highlighted as an issue affecting low and high-income countries and, in the letter signed by the organizations, it’s referred to as a global crisis.Fortification with micronutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A strengthens the immune system.

The letter details that three billion people worldwide cannot financially afford a varied, healthy and nutritious diet that contains all minerals and vitamins that are needed for good health.

It further reads: “Fortification of staple foods has proven to be the most successful policy in reducing the prevalence of congenital malformations such as spina bifida, anencephaly and other neural tube defects, as well as iodine deficiency disorders such as congenital hypothyroidism.”

“Fortification with micronutrients strengthens immunity to disease and significantly increases energy and productivity, among other effects,” it continues.

The letter further notes that for every dollar invested in food fortification, there is an average US$27 return as it improves health and productivity by preventing disease, intellectual disability, miscarriage, termination of a wanted pregnancy, stillbirth or the death of an infant or child.

Edited by Beatrice Wihlander

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