Definition: 

• Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and minerals such as Iron, Iodine, Zinc, Vitamins A & D to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content. 
• These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in the food before processing or may have been lost during processing. 

The Need for Fortification:

• Hidden Hunger: Over 70% of Indians lack essential micronutrients like iron, Vitamin A, iodine, and zinc. This leads to health issues like anaemia, stunting, and night blindness.
• Limited dietary diversity: Reliance on processed, refined foods and inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich options worsens the situation. 
  • Today, dietary patterns have shifted from seasonal and varied foods to processed and sugar-laden alternatives, which are calorically dense but nutritionally deficient. 
• Accessibility and affordability: Access to a balanced diet remains a challenge for many, especially in rural areas. 
  • According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2023, around 74 per cent of India’s population could not afford a healthy diet, and 39 per cent fell short of a nutrient-adequate one.
  • Food Fortification has a high benefit-to-cost ratio. The Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every 1 Rupee spent on fortification results in 9 Rupees in benefits to the economy.

Government initiatives:

• National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP): A success story, significantly reduced goitre prevalence through fortification of salt with iodine.
• Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF): Aims to fortify staples like rice, wheat flour, edible oil, and milk with essential nutrients.

Challenges:

• Limited reach: Fortification hasn’t fully reached all target populations, particularly vulnerable groups.
• Awareness: Misconceptions and concerns about taste and texture of fortified foods exist. The appearance and texture of such foods — fortified rice kernels, for instance — often create misgiving.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Robust systems for tracking program effectiveness with necessary data collection and processing is yet to be developed.

Looking Forward:

• Expanding reach: Ensuring wider availability and accessibility of fortified foods across the country.
• Intensifying awareness campaigns: Educating people about the benefits and safety of fortified foods. Addressing concerns requires an intensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign. An important step in this direction is to inform the beneficiaries about the stringent standards of fortification.
• Strengthening monitoring and evaluation: Regularly assessing program impact and making necessary adjustments. These adjustments should ensure the necessary standard of fortified foods.
• Collaboration: Public-private partnerships with food manufacturers, NGOs, and communities are crucial.

Fortification needs to be combined with other interventions under the National Food Security Act(NFSA). Food fortification represents a promising strategy to combat malnutrition in India. By addressing existing challenges and implementing it effectively, the program can significantly improve the health and well-being of millions of people.