Action - Nutrition International - Ethiopia - Wheat flour fortification

Programme: Nutrition International - Ethiopia

Programme description

Fortifying commonly-eaten grains such as wheat, maize flour and rice is among the easiest and least expensive ways to prevent disease, strengthen immune systems and nurture a healthy and productive next generation.[1] Nutrition International leads and supports grain fortification efforts in low- and middle– income countries through a number of programs. Fortifying grains with iron and folic acid is an effective way to prevent anaemia and neural tube defects in a population.[2]

Nutrition International (NI) conducted a feasibility study and survey to update industry-mapping and design its fortification support in the country. NI supports wheat flour fortification in Ethiopia by:

  • Supporting/conducting the national food consumption survey, industry mapping, feasibility assessments and formative research to assess existing gaps and guide program planning, implementation and tracking.
  • Providing assistance to the Federal Ministry of Industry (FMoI), other government partners and relevant stakeholders to tackle the challenge of addressing appropriate formulation standards and advocating for mandatory legislation as an enforcement system.
  • Assisting the development of a national, sector-wide Behaviour Change Intervention (BCI) strategy that includes an awareness campaign through mass media. 
  • Generating and translating evidence for development, endorsement and dissemination of National Nutrition Plan, Food Fortification Plan of Action, food fortification standards and micronutrient guidelines.
  • Facilitating the establishment and working of multi-stakeholder fortification unit.
  • Providing equipment and premix start-up/revolving support to mills, and capacity building to food processors and enforcement officers.

This national-scale project is being implemented in partnership with Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Development Institute of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Ethiopian Millers Associations, TechnoServe and the Ministry of Health. The first phase of the project was supported by Irish Aid from 2014 through 2016, and the current phase will continue until 2020 through GAC support. 

Programme type

National

References

  1. Why Fortify Flour and Rice? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ffinetwork.org/why_fortify/index.html
  2. Fisberg, M., & Tosatti, A. M. (2011). Enrichment of iron and folic acid. Revista Brasileira De Hematologia E Hemoterapia,33(2), 94-95. doi:10.5581/1516-8484.20110026

For more information:

Status: 
On-going

Start date:

2015

End date:

2020

Revision log

DateUserLogState
Tue, 09/25/2018 - 16:06engesveenkEdited by GINAadminNI.published
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 22:56GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.delegated
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 21:07GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.delegated
Thu, 08/23/2018 - 23:41GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.delegated
Thu, 06/14/2018 - 13:53engesveenkEdited by engesveenk.delegated
Tue, 05/29/2018 - 23:01vhollaEdited by vholla.draft
Tue, 05/29/2018 - 23:01vhollaAction created by vholla.draft