Advancing Food Fortification in Mauritius
Recognizing the high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency anemia, Mauritius embarked on a journey to fortify wheat flour in 2018. In 2023, Mauritius passed mandatory legislation for the fortification of wheat flour—a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Government of Mauritius, FFI, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
FFI, alongside FAO and SADC, provided crucial technical assistance. Key accomplishments included a landscape analysis, a cost-benefit analysis, a costed implementation plan, food safety regulation revisions, national standards, and a 2023–2028 national fortification strategy.
With these elements in place, Mauritius made significant progress in 2023. The fortification standards were gazetted, and the regulations were approved by the World Trade Organization.
FFI will continue to assist with implementation, build quality assurance capacity, train regulators, and promote public awareness.
This legislation marks a major public health milestone for Mauritius. It ensures better access to vital micronutrients, particularly for women and children—helping reduce neural tube defects and anemia, enhancing health and productivity, and reducing healthcare costs.
