The technique of adding micronutrients (essential trace elements and vitamins) to food is known as food fortification. It can be carried out by food makers or by governments as a public health policy aimed at reducing the number of people in a population who have dietary deficiencies.

Advantages

• Quick Effects: It can be adopted rapidly and show results in terms of health improvement in a relatively short period of time.
• Cost-effective: This strategy is cost-effective, especially when current technology and distribution platforms are used.
• According to the Copenhagen Consensus, every rupee spent on fortification generates 9 rupees in economic benefits.
• Increased Nutritional Value: When compared to standard kinds, biofortified crops offer 1.5 to 3 times the protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Nutritional Security at Significant: Because the nutrients are added to commonly consumed staple foods, this is an effective way to enhance the health of a large portion of the population all at once.
• Does Not Require Behaviour Change: It does not necessitate any adjustments in people’s eating habits or behaviours. It is a socially and culturally acceptable method of delivering nutrients to people.
• Safer Method of Fortification: It is important to note that these kinds are not genetically engineered – they were developed by scientists using traditional crop breeding techniques. Furthermore, adding micronutrients to food does not endanger people’s health.

Issues

• Reduced Value of Natural Food: Once iron-fortified rice is marketed as a cure for anaemia, the value and availability of naturally iron-rich foods such as millets, various green leafy vegetables, flesh items, and liver, to mention a few, will be reduced by a policy of silence.
• Fails to Serve the Poorest Segment of the Public: Due to low purchasing power and an inadequate distribution channel, the poorest segments of the general population have limited access to fortified foods in open marketplaces.
• Not a Substitute for Good Nutrition: While fortified foods have higher levels of some micronutrients, they are not a replacement for a well-balanced diet that includes enough amounts of energy, protein, vital fats, and other food elements.
• Inconclusive Evidence: The evidence supporting fortification is inconclusive and far from sufficient before substantial national measures are implemented.
• Can Be Harmful: Adding one or two synthetic chemical vitamins and minerals will not cure the broader problem, and in undernourished communities can have several negative side effects such as poisoning.

Way forward

Need for a Multi-Pronged Approach: It must be acknowledged that, in the long run, India requires a multi-pronged approach [access to basic infrastructure (electricity, drinking water, and sanitation)] to address the core cause of this complicated problem.

Women’s Nutritional Literacy: There is a direct association between moms’ education and children’s well-being.

As a result, programmes aimed at increasing females’ educational status and lowering school dropout rates, particularly at the secondary and higher educational levels, must be pushed.

How to structure:

1. Give an intro about food fortification
2. Discuss the pros and cons of it
3. Mention the government schemes
4. Suggest way forward

Reference:

1. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/food/activists-urge-fssai-to-reconsider-planned-fortification-of-rice-oil-74118