Fortify Health has a vision for a healthier world where everyone has the micronutrients they need to survive and thrive. We aim to fulfil this vision by enabling access to micronutrient-rich wheat flour to reduce and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia is a formidable public health and economic issue, both in India and internationally.
We seek to address iron deficiency anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies by supporting millers to fortify the wheat flour they sell, supporting government actors to provide fortified wheat flour to their beneficiaries, and generating evidence for the public about the benefits of wheat flour fortification. |
Why Fortification
A Global Issue: Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia, which occurs when a person does not have enough iron to carry oxygen around the body, is the most common micronutrient deficiency both in India and worldwide (WHO 2023). 67% of children between 6-59 months of age and 52% of pregnant women in India are anaemic (NFHS-5) and both of these figures have increased over the past 5 years (NFHS-4). Anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies are a global issue, but the prevalence of anaemia in India is well above global averages (WHO). Anaemia takes a heavy toll on the people that it affects:
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How can fortifying food help to tackle
anaemia and micronutrient malnutrition?
Food fortification is the addition of essential micronutrients to food staples, such as rice, flour, salt, milk and cooking oil. There are several benefits to food fortification, including:
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What Evidence Is there to support food fortification?
There is ample global evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of large scale food fortification (and of wheat flour fortification specifically) in combating iron deficiency anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. To name just a few relevant studies:
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How is wheat flour regulated in India?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published comprehensive standards for the fortification of wheat flour, which are administered by the Food and Drug Administration of India (FDA). We work closely with our partners to help them to fortify wheat flour in accordance with those standards set by the FSSAI.
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