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Implement

Implement Flour and Rice Fortification Effectively

To ensure fortification programs are sustainable and effective, we help countries implement their plan for fortification when there is clear public, private, and civic support for fortification.

Starting a flour or rice fortification program involves several critical steps, including drafting recommended standards, identifying training needs, supporting premix procurement, and engaging the legislative process.

We encourage mandatory rather than voluntary fortification because legislation leads to country-wide fortification which creates the desired health impact. Food fortification regulations are essential for achieving these goals. The benefits of mandatory programs compared to voluntary ones are outlined in these studies:

• Atta CA, et al. Global birth prevalence of spina bifida by folic acid fortification status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

• Zimmerman S, et al. Mandatory policy: Most successful way to maximize fortification’s effect on vitamin and mineral deficiency.

PHASE 3: Design and Develop

Food fortification plan implementation includes:

• Draft recommended standards

• Identify miller, regulatory inspector, and laboratory training needs

• Support premix procurement process

• Engage the legislative process

• Develop a communication and education strategy

• Integrate realistic fortification monitoring into existing framework

• Train millers on QA/QC practices

• Train regulatory monitoring inspectors and lab staff; map agency responsibilities

• Facilitate the passage of legislation

• Develop a National Fortification Guidelines document and national logo, as necessary

By focusing on these steps, countries can effectively implement and sustain fortification programs in line with food fortification regulations, ensuring broad public health benefits.

Resources