FOOD FORTIFICATION: FILLING DIETARY GAPS WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Today’s multitasking life demands food that is a blend of essential vitamins and nutrients for better health. Food fortification is one such impactful step by Food Safety & Standards Authority of India to improve the nutritional content of food. One of the most effective, affordable, and sustainable ways to address micronutrient deficiencies is the fortification of staple foods

It’s not a hidden fact that we need vitamins and minerals in our diet for a healthy life and growth. However, consumption of food items with adequate quantity of vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc., is very low in India due to many reasons. Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals often go unnoticed, but its consequences are devastating and, in most cases, permanent. Nutritional deficiency in pregnant women can also cause birth defects and maternal mortality. It is important to know that malnutrition manifests itself as either deficiency or an excess of macronutrients and micronutrients. Studies show that not just the poor but more than 60% of urban population is also prone to one or more nutrient deficiency, commonly known as ‘hidden hunger’. This serious health risk causes the nation a massive global disease burden and cannot be ignored.

As per NFHS 4, India has a very high burden of micronutrient deficiencies caused by shortage of iron and folic acid leading to night blindness, goitre, anaemia, and various birth defects. The problem lies in reaching out to the major portion of Indian

population that lives below the poverty line and suffers from extreme malnutrition and mortality rate.

These alarming statistics led major ministries like Women and Child and Health and Department of Food and Public Distribution (DoFPD) to request Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to come up with regulations on food fortification.

Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, and vitamins A and D to staple foods such as rice, wheat flour, oil, milk, and salt to improve their nutritional content. Food fortification helps to address the lack of nutrients and minerals in the normal diet of an average Indian. This method complements other ways to improve nutrition such as diversification of diet and supplementation of food.

All the key ministries have already issued directives for inclusion of fortified staples under their food-based programmes. There are about 18 states and five union territories who have already adopted fortification to extend the benefits to the most vulnerable population.

Further, food fortification has a high benefit-to-cost ratio. The Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every `1 spent on fortification results in `9 in benefits to the economy. Even when all programme costs are passed on to consumers, the price increase is 1-2% approximately, which is less than the normal price variation. Since nutrients are added to staple foods as they are widely consumed, this is an excellent method to improve the health of a large section of population, at once.

Thanks to food fortification, we have access to products with essential supplements to alleviate nutritional deficiencies and raise our health quotient. To help people identify nutrientrich products, FSSAI has created the ‘+F’ logo for staple foods like rice, wheat flour, salt, oil, and milk, symbolising food fortified with micronutrients and enhanced nutritional value. The best part of fortification is that it does not change the original taste, texture, and appearance of food. It is cost effective and safe, as the quantity of micronutrients added is well under the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA).

Rice and wheat flour is fortified with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Salt is fortified with iron and iodine. Edible oil and milk are fortified with vitamins A and D. The key to vitamin D insufficiency also lies in adequate exposure to sunlight and consumption of salmon. The gnawing problem of anaemia is tackled with addition of ironrich products, fortification of iodised salt with iron (Double Fortified Salt) and adding iron in wheat and rice. India’s staple food, rice is adequately fortified with vitamins and minerals which are usually lost during the milling and polishing process. These enriched food help fill the shortfalls in our nutrient intake.

Since this is a technical area, what can we do as consumers? Next time you buy food items, just look for the ‘+F’ sign on the packs of these products. The presence of this logo indicates that the food item is fortified and essential minerals and vitamins have been added. To build awareness on this, FSSAI has come up with campaign — ‘Dekha Kya +F sign?’

Explaining the importance of fortified food, actor and television presenter Sakshi Tanwar advises people to buy food items with the +F sign. “Sometimes we don’t get the necessary nutrients from the food we eat. So FSSAI has started an initiative, ‘Dekha Kya?’ through which you have to take the responsibility of your own health. You don’t have to do much. Just remember to read the +F sign when you pick up atta, oil, salt, sugar, or milk. +F means fortification. Sometimes minerals and nutrients are either not present in food products naturally or are lost during processing. So, essential nutrients such as iodine, zinc, iron, vitamin A and D are added to food to provide wholesome nourishment to your body. This is important for your physical and mental development. Hence, next time, whenever you pick up atta, oil, salt, sugar or milk, I am going to ask you, Dekha Kya…the +F sign?”

To help promote and support the industry, states, union territories, and other partners, FSSAI has established a Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC).

Voluntary fortification has begun for five staples. Eight top companies and regional brands have 122 brands of fortified staples which are presently available in the open market with a pan-India and regional presence. There has been tremendous traction in the oil and milk industry, with 47% of top 10 players of packaged refined edible oil industry and 36.6% of the organised milk industry fortifying as per FSSAI standards.

Retailers like MORE, Modern Bazaar, etc. and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Kendriya Bhandars, CRPF/CSD, and other armed forces canteens and messes are communicating the benefits and providing fortified staples to the masses.

Food Fortification Resource Centre serves as a platform for interaction between all stakeholders to promote food fortification, educate people about the benefits of fortified foods, and provide technical support to small scale food manufacturers to enable them to produce fortified foods, as well as train and provide tools for large-scale fortification of foods.

FSSAI had undertaken the Swasth Bharat Yatra to amplify the message and increase consumer awareness around food fortification. With the advent of the Eat Right India movement, along with other key nutrition and food safety messages, food fortification benefits are now being promoted to the masses through a social media campaign being undertaken by the Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

So, stay tuned, get your food facts right and not get misled by false news.

Take responsibility of your health and diet. Just remember to read the +F sign when you pick up atta, oil, salt, sugar or milk. +F means fortification. SAKSHI TANWAR ACTOR