Micronutrient fortification

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies like iodine, iron, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies are common in developing countries and are associated with poor health outcomes, including increased disease susceptibility and mortality. Micronutrient fortification of widely consumed staple foods, such as wheat and rice, has been recommended as a cost-effective intervention to address these deficiencies. This article reviews the evidence on the effectiveness, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of this strategy. Fortification of various staple foods with micronutrients has been found to effectively improve micronutrient status and reduce related health problems. The benefits of these interventions tend to outweigh the potential risks, although there is some debate regarding the effects of iron fortification on malaria risk. The cost-effectiveness of staple food fortification has been demonstrated in many studies and it has been shown to be a viable option for improving population micronutrient status and reducing the burden of micronutrient deficiencies. – AI-generated abstract.