Critical Review of Food Fortification Policies in Developing Countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56861/nutracendikia.v1i1.33Keywords:
Food fortification, developing countries, public health, health outcomes, policy evaluation.Abstract
Food fortification has emerged as a vital public health strategy to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries, where access to diverse and nutrient-rich diets is often limited. This critical review examines food fortification policies by analyzing their design, implementation, effectiveness, and challenges across various low- and middle-income contexts. Drawing on global evidence, the review explores how staple food fortification—particularly of flour, salt, oil, and rice—with essential micronutrients like iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin A has improved nutritional outcomes, especially among women and children. The findings reveal that the success of fortification policies depends on several factors, including the selection of appropriate food vehicles and fortificants, the robustness of regulatory frameworks, monitoring and enforcement capacity, and consumer awareness. While mandatory fortification policies with strong governance structures tend to yield better results, voluntary efforts often struggle due to industry non-compliance and insufficient oversight. The review also highlights emerging strategies such as biofortification and community-based fortification as complementary approaches. Ultimately, the paper underscores the need for context-sensitive, equity-focused, and multisectoral strategies to enhance the sustainability and impact of food fortification programs in addressing micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries
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