Periodic Update: FFI Newsletter March 2012
Uganda Requires Wheat and Maize Flour Fortification
Mandate to Be Implemented by Year-End
Uganda has passed legislation to require fortification of wheat and maize flours with nine vitamins and minerals. Flour-based foods such as bread, chapatti, naan, mandazi, and porridge are commonly consumed in Uganda; consequently the additional nutrients in flour are expected to improve health among the nation’s population of 33.7 million.
The national legislation, which was passed in October 2011, requires fortification of white and brown wheat flours and maize products produced in Uganda as well as those imported to Uganda. Industrially milled maize products, including maize meal and maize flour, will also be fortified. The mills have until the end of 2012 to comply with the legislation.
The flour fortification standard development process in Uganda was led by a coalition of partners including leaders from the government, flour milling industry, and non-governmental organizations. Together they developed comprehensive requirements for flour to be fortified with iron, zinc, folic acid and other B vitamins including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and B12. The standard includes a minimum and maximum content level for each nutrient added.
Uganda also developed a separate standard for whole wheat flour, also known as high extraction flour, with slightly higher levels of zinc and iron compared to white refined flour. Whole wheat flour has more phytates than highly refined flour. Phytates inhibit a body’s ability to absorb iron and zinc. Consequently iron and zinc fortification recommendations are different for whole and refined wheat flours. The Uganda standard for maize flour uses the same types of iron and zinc for both high and low extraction flours but different levels of addition for the different types of flour.
With Uganda’s decision, now 65 countries require fortification of wheat flour with at least iron or folic acid. Iron improves a person’s capacity for physical activity and work productivity, and iron deficiency is one cause of anemia. A 2006 survey showed that 73 % of Ugandan children ages 6 to 59 months were anemic and almost half of women ages 15 to 49 were anemic. Folic acid lowers the prevalence of permanently disabling or fatal neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. The March of Dimes estimates that 1,589 births in Uganda are affected by a neural tube defect annually.
Revised Indonesia Standard Expected to Increase Effectiveness
This will bring the country’s standard in line with global guidelines. This change is expected to significantly increase the effectiveness of flour fortification in Indonesia where flour is eaten by 90 % of the population, including the poor and rural communities.
While consumption of wheat flour in Indonesia is relatively small - about 50 grams per capita daily on average – fortification can be expected to have a health impact if the fortification levels are in line with global recommendations.
Also, a recent story in the Jakarta Globe newspaper noted that wheat and flour imports by Indonesia may increase 6 % this year as rising incomes boosts food demand. A flour miller in Indonesia is quoted as saying the milling capacity in the country increases by 400,000 tons every year.
Eastern Mediterranean Countries Review Fortification Levels
Several countries which do not currently fortify flour also attended the workshop for guidance on fortification recommendations. Participants generated the following recommendations for their region:
- Create a nutrition-based network of stakeholders for flour and food fortification
- Adapt flour fortification standards to meet current World Health Organization guidelines if the current standard needs adjustment or if not standard exists.
- Develop baseline studies of nutritional deficiencies and establish nutrition surveillance systems.Strengthen food control systems to ensure quality.
- Provide to help counties which are not yet fortifying flour to begin
- Develop a database of food composition tables, food consumption patterns and dietary modeling that are specific to countries in the region
- Communicate the health and nutrition benefits for fortified foods with social marketing
- Partner with all stakeholders in the region
Thanks to the World Health Organization and the Jordan Ministry of Health for assisting with meeting coordination, and to the Global Alliance for Improved Health (GAIN) and the Micronutrient Initiative (MI) for workshop support
Dr. Nanda Honored for Leadership In India
Dr. Nanda was recognized for his remarkable contribution towards promoting flour fortification in Gujarat. He was the first person in India to enforce quasi-mandatory fortification of wheat flour distributed in the open-market. During November-December, 2005, he brought together all roller flour millers and health and nutrition experts representing international and government agencies under one platform to implement a public-private strategy.
He successfully resolved issues regarding costs, vegetarianism in Indian regulations, and advocacy with government and industry leaders. All 34 industrial mills in Gujarat were fortifying with iron and folic acid by 2006. Smaller mills began fortifying in 2007, and fortified flour was used in school midday lunch meals starting in 2009. Many states in India have followed the Gujarat example.
Mozambique Launches Food Fortification Plans
In recognition of malnutrition as a serious problem in Mozambique, the country launched a National Committee for Food Fortification in March. Fortification of staple foods is part of the government’s Multi-Sectoral Plan to Reduce Malnutrition.
The committee will support fortifying vegetable oil with vitamin A and fortifying wheat flour with iron, zinc, folic acid and other B vitamins. The committee is chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade with the Ministry of Health as vice president. The committee is to lead implementation of five components:
- Production and distribution
- Legislation and Control/Quality Assurance
- Social Marketing and Advocacy
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Program Management
Helen Keller International is the executing agency for the fortification program, and the lead donor is the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). In addition, fortification partners involved in the project are World Food Program, World Vision International, and Population Services International.
Periodic Update: FFI Newsletter March 2012 Table of Contents
Turkish Flour Industrialists Federation 2012 International Congress: Wheat, Flour and Bread
29 March - 1 April 2012
FFI Executive Management Team meeting
2-3 May 2012
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) North America Conference and Expo
7-11 May 2012
Spokane, Washington, USA
Whole Grains Summit
20-22 May 2012
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA