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Fortifying everyday foods with iron could be a powerful tool to combat anaemia—but how effective is it? A new meta-analysis by Fortify Health explores the impact of NaFeEDTA (sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate) fortification on iron levels and anaemia prevalence. NaFeEDTA is a highly bioavailable form of iron that binds to a compound (EDTA) to improve iron absorption, especially in diets rich in grains and legumes, where natural inhibitors can block iron uptake. The findings suggest that adding NaFeEDTA to staples like wheat flour and rice significantly improves iron absorption and reduces the risk of anaemia.
What did the research find? The meta-analysis findings from the seven selected studies reveal that fortifying foods with NaFeEDTA leads to an average increase of 3.93 g/L in haemoglobin levels. Haemoglobin, the crucial component in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, when available in sufficient levels, means better energy and overall well-being for those consuming fortified foods. This increase suggests that fortified foods could boost the iron status of those who consume them regularly. Furthermore, our analysis indicates a significant 16% reduction in the risk of anaemia. This suggests that by fortifying staple foods with NaFeEDTA, we could see a substantial decrease in the number of people affected by anaemia, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other health problems. The research also found that a weekly intake of at least 20 mg of NaFeEDTA is essential for effective results in reducing anaemia. Lower amounts appear less impactful in reducing anaemia. How was this research conducted? The Fortify Health team followed a structured methodology for this meta-analysis, which included five stages :
This meta-analysis was undertaken to provide more specific evidence on the effectiveness of NaFeEDTA, as previous broader analyses may have included studies with different iron fortificants and varying methodologies. Understanding the impact of NaFeEDTA is important for informing public health interventions aimed at reducing iron deficiency. Why does NaFeEDTA work so well? The meta-analysis highlights NaFeEDTA as a particularly effective fortificant. But why is that?
While the results of this meta-analysis are encouraging, the researchers note some areas for future research. Many of the included studies focused on children, and further research involving adults and pregnant women would be valuable. Additionally, investigating the long-term effects of NaFeEDTA fortification and exploring optimal dosages for various populations could provide further insights. Examining the application of NaFeEDTA fortification in a wider variety of staple foods beyond wheat and rice may also be beneficial. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that fortifying staple foods with NaFeEDTA can lead to improvements in haemoglobin levels and a reduction in anaemia prevalence. These findings contribute to the evidence base for using food fortification as a public health strategy to address iron deficiency. At Fortify Health, we are committed to evidence-based solutions that improve public health. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest research updates and insights into our work.
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Wheat consumption patterns in India are changing, and so is the fight against anaemia. The latest Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 reveals shifts in cereal consumption across states, impacting how we approach wheat flour fortification. In 11 Indian states, wheat consumption accounts for more than 50% of the total cereal consumption. Understanding these trends is critical to strengthening Fortify Health’s fortification program and tackling iron deficiency anaemia effectively. About the HCES survey The Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey (HCES) is a crucial dataset published by the Government of India once every decade. It provides detailed information on the monthly per capita consumption of various food items, consumer goods, and the Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) for these items. The most recent HCES survey was conducted in 2022-23, and the preliminary report (Report no. 591) was released in June 2024. Importance of HCES data for Fortify Health’s chakki atta fortification program Understanding consumption patterns of wheat and wheat flour in India is crucial for Fortify Health’s initiatives as it provides state-wise information on food consumption, including wheat. We have used this information to calculate the beneficiaries we reach through consumption of fortified chakki atta. The HCES data serves as a reliable source for this information and we also use it for the strategic planning of the expansion of wheat flour fortification efforts in India. Key takeaways from HCES 2022-23 1. Cereal Consumption in India is Declining (Fig. 1 and 2) Data from the survey shows that overall cereal consumption has dropped significantly between 2011-12 and 2022-23. On average:
The most significant decline was observed in rice consumption among the rural population, while coarse grains such as millet saw a reduction in both rural and urban areas. Wheat consumption also declined slightly across both groups.  Fig. 1: Cereal consumption in rural India  Fig. 2: Cereal consumption in urban India 2. Wheat is the Staple in 11 Key States (Fig. 3 and 4) While India is diverse in food habits, wheat remains the primary staple in 11 states, where it accounts for more than 50% of total cereal consumption. A total of 38% Indian population resides in these 11 states in 2023, as per the population projection report 2020 by the National Commission on Population. Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have the highest per capita wheat consumption. However, wheat consumption in these states decreased from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with the exception of Gujarat, where wheat consumption increased in both rural and urban populations.  Fig. 3: States with more than 50% contribution of wheat in cereal consumption rural India  Fig. 4: States with more than 50% contribution of wheat in cereal consumption in urban India 3. Anaemia prevalence in top wheat-consuming states (Fig.5) According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), top wheat-consuming states also have high rates of anaemia among women aged 15-49. Gujarat has the highest prevalence of anaemia, while Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab have anaemia rates above the all-India average. In all of these states, wheat consumption accounts for more than 55% of total cereal consumption. Other states also show anaemia prevalence rates of 50% or higher, except Uttarakhand.  Fig. 5: Wheat consumption and Anaemia status in top wheat consuming states What this means for Fortify Health
The HCES 2022-23 data plays a crucial role in shaping Fortify Health's strategies and action plans. Chakki atta contains an average of 41 mg/kg of iron, according to the Indian Food Composition Table 2017. The decline in wheat consumption across major states indicates a lower intake of dietary iron from wheat. Expediting Fortification Efforts: The HCES 2022-23 data helped Fortify Health expedite fortification efforts in states like Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan through open-market wheat flour mill partnerships, and toward Chandigarh and Punjab via government partnerships. The combination of higher wheat consumption and high anaemia prevalence in these states made them priority areas for our chakki atta fortification program to achieve maximum impact. Strategic Expansion: Looking ahead, we plan to expand our efforts in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Given its high anaemia prevalence and increasing wheat consumption, Gujarat can be a key focus for our work moving forward. These strategic decisions are directly informed by the detailed consumption and health data provided by the HCES 2022-23. Our strategies are guided by data and aimed at making fortification accessible where it’s needed most. If you're curious about Fortify Health’s fortification efforts, check out our external dashboard for real-time updates.  Last month, Yog Foods, a mill based in Ranjangaon near Pune, launched the production of their fortified chakki atta (wheat flour) with support from Fortify Health. Members of the Program and Quality team and the three of us who recently joined Fortify Health - Rebecca from Kenya, Beth from the UK, and Janani from India - all joined the launch. We were greeted by Mr. Yogesh Bhos who generously offered us some cool lassi (sweetened buttermilk). While some people went inside the mill to prepare, Mr. Bhos told us about his business model- as a small business, his margins are limited by his low working capital. Unlike the large firms, he cannot buy wheat in bulk and store it for months. His eyes lit up as he talked about adding fortification to his mill and his hopes to expand, automate production and generate higher-quality atta. He spoke passionately about fortification and suggested that we use local women’s groups - his wife is a member - to spread awareness about it. We ended the conversation with a better understanding of the challenges of atta production, a newfound curiosity about the wheat grain type we each consume, and gratitude for the delicious lassi.  Our tour of the mill began in the storage area where several bags of unprocessed wheat were fed into a series of machines that cleaned the grains, first by separating them from dust, stones and metals, and second by the process of surface abrasion. Thereafter, a small amount of moisture was added to the clean grains to condition them for milling. The final product of this process was golden, shiny and clean wheat grains, and a cloud of dust- a perilous environment for the unprepared asthmatic. Four chakkis (stone mills) ground the clean grain into atta. First, the flour was sifted and separated from excess air. Thereafter a microdoser added premix (containing iron, folic acid and vitamin B12) to the flour and after a thorough mix, the fortified atta was packed into sealed bags and set aside, ready for distribution. We ended our tour of the mill with a deeper appreciation of the straightforward yet impactful process tiny wheat grains go through to become our allies in improving public health. After our tour Kishan (Senior Quality Officer) taught the mill workers - and us - how to check if the microdoser was working properly. The process is precise yet simple, and is easy to complete in the mill with no need for specialist equipment: take a sample of fortified atta, level it out in a petri dish, and add a couple of chemicals. If iron has been successfully added then red dots will appear.  Fortify Health has a manual with clear instructions and pictures explaining what different results indicate. We observed the results for fortified and non-fortified atta - they matched the manual’s pictures exactly. Going forward the millers will complete this testing process for each batch, to ensure the quality of fortified atta remains consistent.  After the testing, we took a photo with the newly fortified bags of atta. There was a sense of occasion: it may only take a few minutes to turn on the microdoser, test the samples and stick the label on the bag, but a mill launch day is the culmination of months of work. We waved goodbye to the miller and his puppy (narrowly avoiding running it over as it napped under our car) and he invited us to visit again.
We hope to return. No doubt by then Yog Foods will have produced thousands of metric tonnes of fortified atta and provided nutritious rotis to lakhs of customers - and the puppy will no longer be a puppy. We are delighted to launch a publicly available dashboard that visualises our core monitoring data. The dashboard displays key information about our work, outlining where our partners are based and the progress that we’ve made since June 2022. Context: M&E at Fortify Health Fortify Health has a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) department that sits at the core of our desire to pursue data-driven decision-making. The department supports the overall effectiveness and impact of the organisation by ensuring that the fortified atta that our partners produce meets regulatory standards and also collecting key indicators that monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of our work. We need a robust system in order to do this monitoring properly. In particular:
We identified in late 2022 that our monitoring system could be improved and fully digitised. The system was comprehensive, but we were unsure of the quality of some of the data that was provided and it took too long for us to collect, process and evaluate data to make decisions. The solution: our dashboard We knew we had to resolve this, but it was a formidable challenge. Our M&E team has been working all year to design and implement the solution to these issues. To give a sense of the scale of the challenge: we started the project by making a list of requirements that the monitoring system had to satisfy and ended up with 24 distinct requirements. We’re delighted today to launch the result: a publicly available dashboard that visualises our core monitoring data. The dashboard is the final element of a cost-effective technology stack that our M&E team has built to ingest, store, transform and display our core data. This external dashboard partners with an internal dashboard that our team uses daily and includes many more indicators. The stack encompasses a range of reliable and cost-effective tools. We are using the following tools at each stage:
 The implementation of the analytics dashboard involved several key phases. We began by gathering detailed requirements and designing a data infrastructure plan. Our data engineer consultant, Simo Tumelius, played a crucial role in designing and developing the end-to-end data pipeline. We implemented automated data quality tests that generated a daily data quality report for QA monitoring purposes and set up alerts for test failures to notify us if something was wrong with the data. Most often, these errors were caused by issues in data entered into SurveyCTO, which our internal M&E team then resolved at the source. An automated testing system is crucial to ensure data quality, system reliability and to keep us informed about any issues. In addition to the automated tests, we did rigorous manual validation to ensure the calculated KPIs were accurate. Comprehensive training sessions led by Simo ensured that internal M&E team members could effectively use and maintain the system. Finally, we deployed the dashboard, providing both internal and public access to our core monitoring data. Getting here: the implementation process Our M&E team and our excellent data engineer consultant, Simo Tumelius, have worked for months to digitise and develop this end-to-end data pipeline. Our major learnings from the process are:
Our engineer, Simo Tumelius noted that: “One of the keys to success in this project was Fortify Health's internal buy-in and commitment. Although I was hired as an external consultant, their M&E team invested significant time and effort to collaborate with me. Together, we not only designed and implemented the system but also ensured the team understood its intricacies. This commitment ensures that even after I'm gone, they can continue to maintain and develop the system. I was fortunate to have the amazing M&E team to work with: Mr Prasad Bogam (Director of M&E), Mr Ali Akbar (M&E Officer) and Mr Gulshan Swaika (Data Officer). Most closely I worked with Gulshan who became both a student and a partner in the development and validation of the system. I guided him through how the system works and its technical details. His dedication to learning and becoming the system's technical owner impressed me. I was happy to see him develop a keen interest in data engineering and continue his learning with additional courses.” - Simo Conclusion: the outcome We are confident that this new dashboard meets the robustness standards we laid out:
Reflecting on the project, our Director of M&E Prasad Bogam noted that: “The dashboard has been a game-changer for the M&E team and all the key stakeholders. The time spent accessing data has been drastically reduced, allowing us to make informed decisions swiftly. The high quality of data in the dashboard means we can rely on the insights provided and it’s also great that we can now share this data with a wide range of stakeholders. Updating the dashboard is now a breeze, keeping our data current and relevant. This tool has truly streamlined our operations and enhanced our productivity.”
We are hugely excited about the potential applications of the dashboard for our work, as well as for our followers to keep track of our progress with us. Analytics tools like the dashboard are important mechanisms for putting data-driven decision-making into practice. To dive into the dashboard, head to our dedicated page here. Are you interested in more details about the dashboard? Do you want advice about how to set up something similar for your organisation? Please reach out to us at [email protected] For a deeper dive into the implementation process of our new dashboard and its underlying data architecture, we will be publishing a comprehensive case study soon. This case study will provide in-depth insights and lessons learned, offering valuable information for other organisations looking to enhance their M&E data analytics. Fortify Health has signed a partnership with Shayona Industries, a key equipment vendor. Shayona Industries will provide Fortify Health with critical equipment to support large-scale, cost effective fortification of wheat flour in India. To fortify wheat flour (or chakki atta), millers add key micronutrients into wheat flour before packaging. Fortify Health supports our mill partners to add iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 to their wheat flour. There is a wealth of evidence that fortifying wheat flour with these micronutrients can have a meaningful impact on reducing and preventing iron deficiency anaemia.
What equipment do mills need to fortify wheat flour? Millers use a piece of equipment called a microdoser to add the micronutrients (or premix) to their flour. The microdoser provides a continual and consistent supply of diluted premix into the flow of wheat flour. Fortify Health provides its mill partners with microdosers without charge and also trains staff at each mill to calibrate their microsoders, taking into account the unique characteristics of each mill. Shayona Industries will supply microdosers to Fortify Health’s mill partners under the newly signed partnership.
Microdosers are critical to the fortification process; they must be manufactured according to strict requirements to ensure that they release the appropriate amount of premix into the wheat flour being fortified. The appropriate amount of premix must be added to the flour because the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India prescribes a strict range for the amount of micronutrients to be added to fortified wheat flour. In addition, fortified flour will only be safe and effective for beneficiaries if it is fortified with an appropriate amount of premix. About Shayona Industries
Fortify Health went through an exhaustive, open tender process to identify the most appropriate vendor to support its intervention. We are happy to say that Shayona passed all technical tests with flying colours and was highly cost-effective in its proposals. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Shayona Industries, who are a three-generation, family owned business based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Looking forward In future, Fortify Health plans to undertake experiments to pilot innovative technologies to increase the cost-effectiveness and functionality of microdosers. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on this front! By Brendan Eappen, Chair of the Board and Co-Founder at Fortify Health Early last year, Nikita Patel, Fortify Health’s longstanding Co-founder and CEO, shared her intention to transition out of Fortify Health. In the second half of 2023, Fortify Health launched a competitive CEO search, drawing highly qualified external and internal applicants. This process culminated in the selection of an exceptional new CEO of Fortify Health. Since then, the Board and Nikita have been working to ensure a smooth handover to the next CEO of Fortify Health. Meet Tony
Tony has wide ranging work experience across monitoring and evaluation, management consulting, and law. Tony received his law degree from The University of Queensland and subsequently completed an MBA at Yale University and Masters of Law from University of Sydney. Before joining Fortify Health, Tony worked at IDinsight, where he focused on leveraging data and evidence to alleviate poverty. He sought out a position at Fortify Health in order to bring data and evidence to bear on the direct improvement of lives through the reduction and prevention of iron-deficiency anaemia. Tony brings a wealth of management experience, strategic decision making skills, and institutional knowledge to the role of CEO. He will decisively facilitate Fortify Health’s evolution into its next stage as an increasingly major contributor to the fortification landscape in India, with plans for further rapid scale-up with integrity and purpose. He formally took on the role in January 2024. We are very excited for Tony’s leadership as Fortify Health continues to pursue its mission to enable access to micronutrient-rich wheat flour to reduce and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Tony will be driving forward some major work over the next one year:
With appreciation to Nikita
Nikita has had a tremendous impact on the organization at every stage: crafting its early strategy, establishing key partnerships, securing funding, building a team, and overseeing implementation through the present stage of early scale-up. Nikita’s enduring and trustworthy leadership has played a key role in securing $10 million across 3 GiveWell Incubation grants to reduce anaemia at scale in India. So far, an estimated 2.5 million beneficiaries are consuming fortified flour facilitated by Fortify Health’s programs each month (estimate for December 2023).
Since its inception, countless members of the Fortify Health team have been collectively responsible for the evolution of the organization. In celebrating Nikita’s contributions over the past 6.5 years, we must recognize that among her most critical work has been building a community of exceptional colleagues who have advanced the organization beyond our most ambitious dreams. Nikita’s person-centered management has been directly responsible for the growth of the incredible team that have made Fortify Health’s vision a reality. Nikita’s genuine care for the people around her is reflected in our collaborative, warm, and fair team culture and further validated by our team satisfaction surveys. She has also expertly managed challenging periods during the organization’s journey, ensuring that the years of investment in Fortify Health could materialize into real health impact. With that said, we are incredibly grateful to Nikita for her years of service to Fortify Health. We are excited that she will now be joining Akhil Bansal, Garvita Chawla and me as a member of Fortify Health’s board; in this capacity, Nikita will continue to be actively engaged in providing strategic direction and oversight to Fortify Health. While Nikita will surely be missed, we are all eager to see Fortify Health further its impact under Tony Senanayake’s leadership. - Brendan Eappen, Chair of the Board and Co-Founder at Fortify Health  Fortify Health is acting as the technical partner to the Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, the nodal agency for distributing grains for the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Public Distribution System. Fortify Health is helping to support the distribution of high-quality fortified chakki atta (wheat flour) to approximately fifty lakh (5 million) beneficiaries at risk of anaemia in Andhra Pradesh through this project. This is the first formal partnership between Fortify Health and a state government in India. It is a significant step forward in Fortify Health’s work to reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Context In India, state governments distribute staple food products, including chakki atta, through social safety net programmes (SSNPs). It is estimated that over half the population of India are covered under the largest SSNP known as the Public Distribution System (PDS). One of Fortify Health’s key aims is to assist state governments who administer SSNPs to distribute food products that have been fortified with vital micronutrients. Fortify Health works with SSNPs for three reasons: 1. Targeting: The people who receive food through SSNPs are typically at higher risk of anaemia; 2. Breadth of Impact: SSNPs generally have a very large footprint, reaching millions of people; and 3. Limited Behaviour Change Required: SSNPs have already established supply chains that distribute food products effectively. Fortifying these food products therefore requires little to no behaviour change on the part of beneficiaries.  Andhra Pradesh Partnership
The AP government announced plans to distribute fortified chakki atta through its Public Distribution System in mid-2023. Fortify Health came on board in October 2023 as the technical support partner for the project. Fortify Health has been able to bring its 6+ years of experience in high-quality monitoring of fortification processes for chakki atta to the project. We have been helping the AP government to ensure that the chakki atta that it distributes to lakhs of people complies with regulatory standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The scale of the project is large; by December 2023, the AP government distributed more than 15,000 metric tonnes of fortified chakki atta to beneficiaries. Looking forward Over the coming year, we hope to continue supporting the government of Andhra Pradesh to supply fortified chakki atta through its Public Distribution System. Our partnerships team will also be liaising with other state governments across target states to identify new opportunities to support fortification in SSNPs. To learn more about our partnerships work, please visit our website at Our Partnerships Work - Fortify Health. Fortify Health conducted a fortification workshop for the staff of Feeding India on the 27th of September 2023 at Feeding India's office in Gurgaon. The workshop was a useful opportunity for Feeding India and Fortify Health teammates to discuss the problem of anaemia in India and how the two organisations can work together to address that issue.  The workshop was the first formal event in the broader collaboration between Fortify Health and Feeding India launched in early September 2023. As part of this collaboration, Fortify Health and Feeding India will work closely to generate awareness about fortification and encourage Feeding India’s partners to provide fortified wheat flour in their meal programmes. The primary objective of this initial two-hour workshop was for the Fortify Health team to provide an introduction to chakki atta fortification and Fortify Health’s ongoing work in India to Feeding India staff and to discuss potential collaboration opportunities between Fortify Health and Feeding India. During the session, Fortify Health’s team explained the role of fortification in addressing anaemia in India, the process of chakki atta fortification and what Fortify Health does to support millers across India to fortify chakki atta. The team even demonstrated one of the tests Fortify Health’s partners use to check the quantity of iron in flour (pictured)!
Ashwin Mb, Associate Director of Partnerships at Fortify Health commented that “Feeding India staff were super invested into the workshop. They were engaged through the sessions, asked incisive and thought-provoking questions, and shared innovative ideas on how FH and FI could work together to tackle malnutrition together. We are excited to take our partnership to the next level.”
Thoughts from Vishal Kumar, Head of Feeding India, “FH’s session captured a very informative journey towards how fortification can be a solution towards curbing malnutrition. We are delighted to have FH as our knowledge partners with whom we will be able to expand our horizons of interventions to make India malnutrition free.” About Feeding India: Feeding India, powered by Zomato, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to eradicating hunger and improving malnutrition rates in India. They work toward this mission by supporting large-scale systemic interventions as well as providing essential food support to underserved communities in the form of raw grains and freshly cooked food. For more information, please visit https://www.feedingindia.org/ About Fortify Health: Fortify Health is a not-for-profit organisation that works to enable access to micronutrient-rich chakki atta to reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Fortify Health does this through three key workstreams: 1. We support millers to cost-neutrally add micronutrients to chakki atta in the open market; 2. We work with governments in India to mainstream wheat flour fortification through social safety net programmes; and 3. We conduct monitoring and evaluation of our activities to inform the public about the value of food fortification. For more information about Fortify Health’s work, please visit https://www.fortifyhealth.global/who-we-are.html/  Fortify Health and Feeding India are delighted to announce a partnership to advance their shared vision of a healthier, better-nourished India. Feeding India by Zomato is an established not-for-profit organisation designing interventions to reduce hunger among underserved communities in India. Fortify Health is also a not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to enable access to micronutrient-rich wheat flour to reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. The partnership will bring together Fortify Health's unique experience in supporting and monitoring chakki atta fortification in various Indian states with Feeding India’s extensive networks with on-ground non-profit partners working in education. Under the partnership, Fortify Health and Feeding India will work closely to encourage and support Feeding India’s partner organisation to distribute fortified chakki atta. Feeding India will assist its partners to procure and provide fortified chakki atta to the vulnerable communities they serve. Fortify Health will engage with partners to explain the benefits of fortification and also support them in monitoring the quality of the chakki atta they provide. Vishal Kumar, Head of Feeding India, said: "With real-world evidence highlighting the transformative impact of fortification, this collaboration between Feeding India and Fortify Health represents a significant step forward in our mission. Together, we aspire to not only raise awareness about food fortification but also ignite actionable change through our volunteer network of Poshan Champions and our partner organisations in the Daily Feeding Program." Tony Senanayake, Chief Strategy Officer at Fortify Health, said: “Feeding India is a Pan-Indian, household organisation that is doing great work to bring nourishment to underserved populations. Fortify Health looks forward to supporting Feeding India on their journey and to bringing greater recognition to the highly cost-effective, evidence-based solution of wheat flour fortification.”  The Feeding India and Fortify Health teams meeting in Gurgaon to sign the partnership Memorandum of Understanding. About Feeding India:
Feeding India, powered by Zomato, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to eradicating hunger and improving malnutrition rates in India. They work toward this mission by supporting large-scale systemic interventions as well as providing essential food support to underserved communities in the form of raw grains and freshly cooked food. For more information, please visit https://www.feedingindia.org/ About Fortify Health: Fortify Health is a not-for-profit organisation that works to enable access to micronutrient-rich chakki atta to reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Fortify Health does this through three key workstreams: 1. We support millers to cost-neutrally add micronutrients to chakki atta in the open market; 2. We work with governments in India to mainstream wheat flour fortification through social safety net programmes; and 3. We conduct monitoring and evaluation of our activities to inform the public about the value of food fortification. For more information about Fortify Health’s work, please visit https://www.fortifyhealth.global/who-we-are.html/  Fortify Health is thrilled to announce that it has established a partnership with the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) to support wheat flour fortification in India. FFI is an internationally-recognised organisation that works with governments and other partners to support the fortification of wheat flour, maize flour and rice across the world. Under the partnership, Fortify Health and FFI will work together to support government social safety net programmes to provide micronutrient-rich wheat flour to vulnerable communities in various Indian states.
The partnership will take advantage of each organisation’s unique experience and resources to support FFI and Fortify Health’s shared vision for a healthier world. It will draw upon FFI’s deep experience of working with governments and implementing agencies while leveraging Fortify Health’s strong ‘on the ground’ presence and existing relationships with millers across India. Fortify Health and FFI will work closely to assist government partners to implement fortification in their social safety net programmes. Mr Scott Montgomery, Director of Food Fortification Initiative mentioned: “More than half of all women and children in India suffer from micronutrient deficiencies that have immediate and long-term effects on their health. And yet we have a highly effective, proven intervention that has reduced micronutrient deficiencies in countries across the world, including India, over the past 100 years: food fortification. We look forward to partnering with Fortify Health and our public, private, and civic partners in India to develop fortification programs that build stronger futures.” Tony Senanayake, Chief Strategy Officer at Fortify Health, mentioned: “Chakki atta fortification is a cost-effective, evidence-backed intervention that can help reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Fortify Health is excited to partner with FFI to scale chakki atta fortification to those who are most susceptible to the insidious challenges of anaemia through social safety net program partnerships with the government. Furthermore, we welcome greater collaboration with like-minded organisations within the sector to leverage core competencies and reach beneficiaries in need.” About Food Fortification Initiative: FFI is a public, private and civic partnership that aims to improve health globally by assisting governments, regional bodies, food producers and implementing agencies to implement and monitor food fortification programmes. For more than 20 years, FFI has worked across geographies to support the large-scale fortification of flour and rice with essential nutrients like iron, folic acid, and zinc to combat micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including iron-deficiency anaemia and birth defects of the brain and spine. About Fortify Health: Fortify Health is a non-profit that works to enable access to micronutrient-rich chakki atta to reduce and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Fortify Health does this through three key workstreams:
For more information about Fortify Health’s work, please visit https://www.fortifyhealth.global/who-we-are.html For more information about FFI’s work, please visit https://www.ffinetwork.org/ |
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