Work shop on Food Fortification organized by CII-FACE; GAIN; and Consumer VOICE

Today micronutrient malnutrition in India is putting a significant section of the population, particularly women and children at the risk of under-nutrition and poor health outcomes. Over the years, the harmful outcomes. Over the years, the harmful effects of these vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been realized and are seen as a pressing public health challenge across the globe. Recognizing these various State Governments in India have identified Fortification as an effective mechanism to address the micronutrient gaps in our regular diet and have included it as a part of their mission to curtail malnutrition.

We believe that Indian Food Industry is also cognizant of this fact and have been in the process of undertaking product innovation that includes micronutrient fortification of food products ranging from staples that are consumed widely across income groups to processed varieties.

To supplement these efforts the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has collaborated with Global alliance for Improving Nutrition (GAIN) and Consumer VOICE and launched an initiative on National Edible Oil Fortification. The project aims at building consensus around fortification as an Industry –led initiative. A National Alliance for Edible Oil Fortification (NAOF) has been constituted with representatives from eminent institutes, industries and associations to build consensus and extend the current portfolio of edible oils.

As a part of this initiative Consumer VOICE & CII is organizing Stakeholder Consultation on Oil Fortification across all major cities of India. This consultation is an attempt to build consensus and awareness on fortification of edible oil among all consumers and other stakeholders as an industry-led voluntary initiative in India.