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Samples of imported fortified flour tested meet fortification specifications
This indicator assesses samples of imported flour that meet the levels specified by standards or regulations for all nutrients tested. The indicator is calculated from the same source (producer/supplier) that undergo quantitative testing and is part of regulatory monitoring procedures. It allows direct follow-up with the importers of the flour if inconsistencies are identified.
This indicator monitors the proportion of samples of imported flour that are fortified according to specifications and confirms conformity or compliance. This is important because the product is correlated to the effectiveness and safety of the intervention. The indicator also provides evidence that the imported flour follows the same standards that the local mills are required to follow.
The percentage of brands, producers or suppliers of imported fortified flour that meet fortification specifications.
Numerator: number of brands, producers or suppliers of imported fortified flour whose samples meet the fortification specifications during a specified time period (e.g. the last 12 months).
Denominator: total number of brands, producers, or suppliers of imported fortified flour, or those of which samples were quantitatively tested for nutrient content, during the same period of time.
• Divide the numerator by the denominator. Multiply the result by 100 to convert the number into a percentage.
Considerations for the calculation:
• Different countries may have different methods for determining if a brand, producer or supplier has met specifications. Examples include:
1: If 100% of nutrients in all samples meet the levels stipulated in regulations, the mill is considered to meet specifications.
2: If 80% of the samples taken at the mill meet regulations, the mill is considered to meet specifications.
3: In lieu of measuring multiple nutrients in samples, one marker nutrient is selected for measurement.
4: If the mean nutrient content of all samples is within the target range of the regulations, the mill is considered to meet specifications.
• The same shipment (or consignment or delivery) can have multiple containers. Each container can have flour from multiple producers/suppliers. The same producer/supplier can have multiple types of flour (e.g. atta, maida and sooji) or brands of flour.
• This indicator may be collected from each importation inspection site at very different time points; therefore, it is important to ensure time parameters are comparable and refer to a similar time period when aggregating the results.
fortification,fortified,importation,import sample,regulatory monitoring,verification
Food fortification
Output
Products meets standards
School age children, 12-23 months, 24-35 months, 36-47 months, 48-59 months, 6-11 months, Adolescents, All, Men, Women of reproductive age
None,
All
Market-based
The collection of this indicator requires full engagement with the authorities in charge of customs.
Provides information about achieving quality fortification of imported flour and adherence to the (national) fortification regulations. Provides evidence to the local milling industry that imported flour follows the same standards that the local mills are required to follow.
• Brands, producers and/or suppliers of imported flour need to be registered.
• It may be difficult to verify and aggregate all sample results from all import sites and producers/suppliers within a short time period.
• The measured nutrient content in a sample of fortified flour can be influenced by many factors: the naturally occurring nutrient content in the unfortified flour, the amount of nutrient added during the fortification process, nutrient loss during processing or storage, and the analytical variability at the laboratory. The fortification standards need to take these into account.
As part of regulatory monitoring, a country collects samples of imported wheat flour regularly. One year, composite sample were collected from 19 producers and analysed for four nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid and iron. Samples that contained the regulated amount for all four nutrients were considered to meet regulations and the producer was considered to meet the specifications. One producer met the specifications.
Numerator: 1
Denominator: 19
Calculation: 1/19 * 100 = 5% of producers met the regulatory specifications for all four nutrients.
1. Koontz JL, Phillips KM, Wunderlich KM, Exler J, Holden JM, Gebhardt SE, Haytowitz DB. Comparison of total folate concentrations in foods determined by microbiological assay at several experienced U.S. commercial laboratories. J AOAC Int. 2005;88:805-13.
2. Yusufali R, Sunley N, de Hoop M, Panagides D. Flour fortification in South Africa: post-implementation survey of micronutrient levels at point of retail. Food Nutr Bull. 2012;33(4 Suppl):S321-9. doi: 10.1177/15648265120334S308.
3. Informe Programa Fortificación de Harinas, Año 2011 [Flour fortification program report, year 2011]. Santiago: Subsecretaría de Salud Pública Ministerio de Salud, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile; 2011 (in Spanish).
4. WHO, FAO. Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43412, accessed 14 April 2021).