WHA Resolution on Food Fortification

Since publishing this article, the proposed resolution was successfully adopted at the 76th World Health Assembly. Learn more here.

FFI and partners are supporting a World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Assembly resolution introduced by the Government of Colombia that calls on all Member States to institute and strengthen large-scale food fortification (LSFF) programs in line with WHO recommendations.

This is an important public health nutrition advocacy opportunity to address and prevent deficiencies of micronutrients like folate, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and iodine globally.

At the 152nd session of the WHO Executive Board, the draft resolution was accepted after extensive negotiations by sponsoring Member States, led by the Government of Colombia. This means that the draft resolution will be put on the agenda of the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA), where if approved, the proposed resolution will be adopted, paving the way for significant progress in advancing large-scale food fortification with micronutrients globally.

To build momentum and support for the resolution in 2022, researchers from Emory University’s Center for Spina Bifida Prevention (CSBP) in collaboration with FFI, neurosurgeons from the G4 Alliance, and the Global Alliance for Prevention of Spina Bifida caused by folate inadequacy (GAPSBiF), published an article in The Lancet Global Health that urges WHO Member States to take immediate action and pass a resolution in support of universal folic acid fortification of common staple foods.

In May 2022, FFI presented at a side event at the 75th WHA that helped generate momentum for the future WHA resolution on fortification. The event was hosted by the G4 Alliance, International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and GAPSBiF, which includes FFI. Among other presenters at the side event, FFI’s Research Director, Helena Pachón, provided an overview of evidence that food fortification with folic acid is safe, effective, and cost-effective.

The resolution comes just after the 30-year anniversary of the British Medical Research Council’s landmark trial provided some of the most unequivocal evidence that maternal intake of folic acid (vitamin B9) starting before pregnancy prevents most cases of infant spina bifida and anencephaly—two major neural tube defects that are severe, disabling, and often fatal. Since then, research has continuously proved the safety, affordability, and effectiveness of food fortification. However, not enough countries have chosen to make the fortification of wheat flour, maize flour, or rice with folic acid mandatory. The hesitancy by policy makers to act has resulted in more than 4 million preventable cases of spina bifida and anencephaly globally in the past 30 years.