The topics of micronutrient deficiencies and Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) will be discussed at a side event at the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
At the event, The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and partners will call on WHA member states to scale up food fortification programs globally, particularly in countries where micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent.
Recent research from the GAIN: Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and women of reproductive age worldwide, found the number of people suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies (“hidden hunger”), is far higher than previously thought.
Half of all preschool-aged children and two thirds of all women of reproductive age worldwide suffer from at least one micronutrient deficiency, also known as “hidden hunger”. These deficiencies cause a range of health problems, from impaired cognitive development in children to increased risk of infections, and conditions such as anaemia and blindness.
GAIN executive director Lawrence Haddad said GAIN had spent the past 20 years supporting food fortification in over 40 low and middle-income countries.
“Unfortunately, the prevalence of malnutrition is growing globally due to simultaneous climate and food crises exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine. More investment in food fortification can help to provide an important nutrition safety net as we seek to build nutritious food systems that are more resilient in the face of global shocks,” said Haddad.
Food fortification has been identified as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to combat hidden hunger and improve public health. According to the WHO, fortification of staple foods can improve micronutrient status in populations and reduce the incidence of associated diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to diverse diets and supplements is limited. Eighty-four countries could benefit from establishing new mandatory fortification programs, and most existing programs must be strengthened to reach more people with adequately fortified food.
The proposed WHA resolution has united the health policy, disability rights, and nutrition sectors. Over 70 global, regional, and national organisations have endorsed the resolution and are actively working to support its passage.
WHO director of the department of nutrition and food safety Francesco Branca said governments need to design effective food fortification programs aimed to reach all people in need and engage civil society and the private sector for effective implementation.
“The World Health Organisation is pleased to stand alongside member states of the WHA and the wide coalition of stakeholders that has come together to support accelerated action on food fortification to combat micronutrient deficiency and its impacts,” said Branca.
