Egypt: Fortification Advocacy Workshop for Millers

In preparation for launching wheat flour fortification in Egypt, FFI and partners held a flour fortification advocacy workshop for millers.

The workshop, which sought to refresh millers on their important role in fortification and to connect millers from the private and public sectors with other fortification stakeholders, was held on 1 April 2021 and attended by a large number of millers and key stakeholders. Using training modules crafted to specifically engage milling industry professionals, the workshop demonstrated how wheat flour fortification can have a tremendously positive impact on the health of millers, their families, their communities, and the country as a whole.

Topics covered in discussion included the effectiveness of flour fortification as a vehicle in the reduction of anemia; the impact of folic acid on the reduction of folate deficiency and neural tube defects; and the significance of regulatory and internal monitoring, quality management systems, and solid data to ensure the success of fortification projects. All discussions and presentations highlighted the role of millers and their significance to the success of flour fortification.

Since 2013, FFI has provided expert advice to the The workshop brought together stakeholders critical to restarting Egypt’s wheat flour fortification program including the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade (MOSIT), Ministry of Health, National Nutrition Institute, National Food Safety Authority, millers from the public and private sectors, the Food Holding Company, the American Chamber of Commerce, as well as development organizations. Experts in fortification and nutrition from MOSIT, FFI, UNICEF, and the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus presented. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and USAID provided additional support for the workshop.

*Photo: Quizzes were held after each module to test participants’ knowledge. (4PR)*

Egypt’s big opportunity

Fortification of flour with iron and folic acid is an ideal intervention as Egypt consumes approximately 17 million tons of wheat annually, making it one of the largest consumers worldwide. Traditional baladi bread, a staple food made of wheat flour that is consumed by the majority of Egyptians, is subsidized and available to nearly all Egyptians through the government’s social safety net system. Fortifying the flour that is used to make baladi bread and mandating the fortification of flour sold through the open market are two effective strategies to address two pressing public health problems: anemia and neural tube defects. Flour fortification with iron can significantly reduce levels of anemia in Egypt. According to the latest Demographic and Health Survey, over 20% of women and 27% of children under five are considered anemic. Fortification with folic acid can also reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects, which is three times higher than the global average. Mandatory fortification of flour available through Egypt’s social safety net system and the open market will enable 90% of the Egyptian population—approximately 90 million people—to receive the vitamins and minerals they need to lead a more productive and healthier life.

The initial flour fortification program that took place in Egypt was launched in 2008 and continued until 2014, where flour was fortified with iron and folic acid through the subsidy system and reached approximately 50 million Egyptians. In 2019, the Government of Egypt engaged FFI’s expertise to restart the fortification program.

To date, FFI and partners like the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition have worked together to conduct an assessment that maps opportunities and challenges, develop a coalition of stakeholders to implement large-scale fortification, and provide technical assistance to build and sustain a fortification program that will reach the majority of Egypt’s population.

Looking forward

As a result of the success of the April 2021 flour fortification workshop, MOSIT approved efforts to hold an additional workshop. The workshop, which took place in February 2022, offered more millers in Egypt the opportunity to learn about food fortification and their critical role in saving lives. By bringing public, private, and civic partners together through such workshops, FFI helps Egypt build the foundation for a robust mandatory flour fortification program that can improve the country’s health at minimal cost.