Egypt Flour Fortification Workshop for Millers 2021
Photo: The workshop brought together stakeholders integral to restarting Egypt’s fortification program. From left to right: Mr. Waleed Khodeir, Head of CDC, American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM); Ms. Nada Elhusseiny, Technical Advisor, Egypt and North Africa, Food Fortification Initiative (FFI); Dr. Wael Abas, Minister Assistant, Logistics and Investment, Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade (MOSIT); Dr. Motaz Saleh, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF. (4PR)
When
01 April 2021
Where
Location: Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
Region: Africa
Objectives
1) Update and refresh miller knowledge on flour fortification.
2) Connect millers from the private and public sectors with key fortification stakeholders to jointly discuss next steps for flour fortification.
Summary
One of the key strengths of the workshop was that it brought together stakeholders from all sectors involved in fortification. It allowed them to meet with their counterparts, to see how their role fits within the overall flour fortification project, and to discuss their challenges, areas of concern, and next steps face-to-face.
Areas 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 folic acid 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 the millers and the significance of their role to the success of flour fortification.
The workshop was possible thanks to the support of Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) and its partners: Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade-Egypt, International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and UNICEF.
For more details, see the agenda and read the full report.
Photo: Quizzes were held after each module to test participants’ knowledge. (4PR)
The workshop employed several methods to communicate with and empower participants:
Training modules: Modules developed by Kansas State University (KSU) were translated and dubbed into Arabic to suit the audience’s language preference.
Quiz and voting system: A quiz was held after each of the modules to test the overall participant knowledge. The responses were submitted through a voting system, where the results were displayed in a graphical format. This process generated discussion and engagement among participants.
Zoom calls: Live Zoom calls were held with representatives from FFI, IF, and the International Association for Operative Millers (IAOM) that engaged the participants directly and created a sense of project ownership among Egypt’s fortification stakeholders.
Certificates of Achievement: Each of the participants received a Certificate of Achievement that recognized his/her effort at the workshop and certified successful completion of the program.
Giveaways: Participants received a giveaway bag that included a branded note pad, a pen, a USB port containing the presentations and modules, as well as FFI communication materials.
Media coverage: The event was covered in both print and social media, which created momentum for flour fortification as a key intervention for Egypt’s Vision 2030 and as part of the 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative.
Participants
Photo: 4PR
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade
National Nutrition Institute
Food Holding Company
Millers: Wide representation from across the country of millers from the private and public sector. A sampling of the governorates represented include Cairo, Alexandria, Behera, Qena, Gharbia, Luxor, Menoufia, Ismailia, and Sharqia.
National Food Safety Authority
International Agencies: GAIN, IF, UNICEF, and USAID
Presentations
Introduction and additional presentations by Dr. Wael Abas (Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade) and Nada Elhusseiny (FFI).
Food Systems and Affordable Healthy Diets by Moataz Saleh, UNICEF
Neural Tube Defects: An Important Health Concern by Sylvia Roozen, International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Building a Better Future Through Fortification by Laura Rowe, FFI
Delivering Nutrition with Bread in Egypt by Scott Montgomery, FFI
Update on Latest Milling Techniques by the International Association of Operative Millers Education Committee
Contact
Nada Elhusseiny
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