FFI staff officially restarted efforts to explore wheat flour fortification in Türkiye with a September 2023 trip to Istanbul and Ankara. Meetings were held with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, IAOM Eurasia, TSBA, and UNICEF.
In Ankara, FFI and TSBA met with the Department of Food Establishments and Codex to discuss the need for mandatory wheat flour fortification to prevent birth defects. FFI committed to further research and a cost-benefit analysis.
FFI also met with UNICEF Turkey’s Early Childhood Development team and regional nutrition specialists. UNICEF expressed interest in supporting national wheat flour fortification and offered to connect FFI with other country offices.
The trip ended with participation in the IAOM Eurasia Conference. Jessie Genoway presented the fortification opportunity alongside Papatya Alkan Genca, who shared her lived experience with spina bifida. FFI engaged with millers from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye.
This marked a pivotal moment in advancing food fortification in Türkiye, fostering partnerships across sectors to support healthier futures.
