Press Release on Food Fortification – A DRIVE AGAINST MALNUTRITION

INDIAN GOVERNMENT, ASSISTED by international agencies and non-governmental organizations and industry, have for many decades taken steps to eliminate or reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Building on the impressive results of the reduction in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) through the fortification of table salt with iodine, vigorous efforts are currently being made to address other micronutrient deficiencies through the fortification of appropriate foods.
The term “food fortification” means the addition of nutrients at levels higher than those found in the original food. Fortification is synonymous with enrichment. Restoration means that nutrients are added to a food to compensate for the loss of nutrients during processing. Generally, food fortification is undertaken at the industrial level, although food fortification can also take place at the household or community levels.
Mass fortification refers to the addition of micronutrients to foods commonly consumed by the general public (such as cereals and condiments), which is instigated, mandated and regulated by the government sector. Universal fortification refers to the fortification of foods consumed by animals as well as humans, with iodization of salt as the main example. Targeted fortification programs also exist, for example the distribution of biscuits fortified with a certain number of vitamins and minerals in school food programs. Furthermore, fortification of some foods (e.g. wheat flour) with specific nutrients at specific levels may be either mandatory (legislated through governments) or voluntary.
To support this humanitarian effort Consumer VOICE along with CII-FACE and GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) have undertaken a massive all India campaign to educate and involve all the stakeholders by holding consultations in all the State Capitals and Union Territories.
In this series, Stakeholders Consultation on Food Fortification is being held –

In Panchkula, Haryana on 22nd June
In Mohali, Punjab on 23rd June
In Chandigarh on 24th June

You are cordially invited to be part of this consultation and also to provide widest publicity to this “Drive against Malnutrition”.
Consumer VOICE