State of the World Report 2015: Food Fortification (SYNOPSIS REPORT)

The synopsis report on large-scale food fortification as published by the Micronutrient Forum last year

Micronutrient deficiencies – and the negative consequences of a diet lacking in essential vitamins and

minerals/trace elements – continue to pose significant public health problems for many low- and middleincome

country (LMIC) populations. This hidden hunger is more prevalent in vulnerable populations, including

women of reproductive age and young children, and female adolescents.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have identified four main strategies for improving micronutrient malnutrition:

• Nutrition education leading to diets that are more diverse and better quality
• Food fortification and biofortification
• Supplementation
• Disease control measures

Each of these strategies has a place in eliminating micronutrient malnutrition. To achieve maximum impact, the appropriate mix of these strategies should be in place simultaneously to promote consumption and utilisation of an adequate diet for all people in the world.