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The control of micronutrient malnutrition, notably vitamin A deficiency, iodine-deficiency disorders, and iron-deficiency anaemia, presently occupies the attention of nutrition and public health workers throughout the developing world. In Asia, particularly, micro-nutrient deficiencies have been recognized as significant causes of morbidity and mortality among vulnerable population groups. Thus, the search for effective strategies for the control of these deficiencies has been intensified in recent years.
Fortification of foods that are commonly consumed by the population at risk has been demonstrated to be a viable and cost-effective food-based strategy for the control of micronutrient deficiencies. However, although food fortification has been practised for many years in some countries in the Asian region, notably the more affluent ones, national food-fortification programmes have yet to be fully implemented in areas where this problem abounds. Barriers remain to their widespread implementation. These can be attributed to a lack of information within industry, government, and the general public as well as a lack of open communication among these sectors. It would, therefore, be highly desirable to bring together representatives of these sectors in a multisectoral forum to discuss the many issues related to food fortification that concern them, namely, scientific and technological aspects, transfer of technology, initiation and implementation of food-fortification programmes, advocacy and information campaign strategies, and systems of quality assurance and monitoring. Discussion of appropriate legislation, guidelines, and regulations is also needed to remove unresolved questions from the industry and consumers. Further research needs to seek out and identify more effective methods and strategies.
On 3-5 December 1996, the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) South-East Asia convened a regional conference in Manila, Philippines, on “Food Fortification: Science, Technology, and Policy,” to discuss the many issues related to fortification. With the collaboration of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (Department of Science and Technology), the Nutrition Centre of the Philippines, and the Nutrition Service (Department of Health), the conference was attended by some 230 participants from South-East Asia and other parts of the world.
During the conference, leading international and regional speakers presented the many issues relating to technology, safety, legislation, economic perspectives, and the need to forge partnerships among industry, government, and academics. Case studies were presented on the fortification of sugar, wheat flour, and margarine with vitamin A; salt with iodine; rice and complementary foods with iron; and beverages and instant noodles with multiple nutrients. Panel discussions followed, focusing on strategies of getting started on food fortification, educational advocacy, policy and legislation, and monitoring and evaluation. The conference resulted in the Manila Declaration on Food Fortification, embodying the recognition by the participants of the urgency of eliminating micronutrient malnutrition and of the benefits and viability of food fortification for its control.
The papers that follow were presented at the conference. They are being published with the hope that leaders in government, industry, academics, and consumer groups who are concerned with the improvement of diets through fortification will benefit from the insights and experiences brought out during the conference.
Rodolfo Florentino
President, Philippine Association of
Nutrition
