Miller Magazine Issue 108 / December 2018

77 MAKALE MILLER / DECEMBER 2018 SDG No. 10 - Reduced inequalities Developing countries bear most of the world’s nutrient deficiencies. This increases the risk of death, illness, and sus- ceptibility to poor health.Yet vitamin and mineral deficiencies are not limited to developing countries. The WHO notes that iron deficiency is “significantly prevalent” in industrialized countries. Birth defects of the brain and spine also occur in countries of every economic status. Fortifying flour with es- sential vitamins and minerals will reduce inequalities between and within countries. SDG No. 11 - Sustainable cities In 2014, 54 percent of the world’s population lived in ur- ban areas, compared to 30 percent in 1950, according to the United Nations (UN) World Urbanization Prospects, 2014 Re- vision. The report estimates that by 2050, 66 percent of the world’s population will be urban. Living in a city does not mean being affluent. This SDG notes that 880 million people lived in urban “slum-like con- ditions” in 2014. Urban residents are likely to benefit from fortification of industrially milled flour and rice. Consequent- ly, fortification is an opportunity to improve the nutrient in- take of a significant proportion of the population, including the urban poor who shop in informal markets. Improving the quality life of urban residents by increasing nutrient intake is one way to make cities more sustainable as improved nutriti- on has the benefits mentioned in the previously listed SDGs. SDG No. 17 - Partnerships for the goals Effective partnerships are essential for fortification because no one sector can be successful on its own. The nutrition community needs to be involved in setting appropriate stan- dards for the type and amounts of nutrients to include in for- tification. The government needs to include fair monitoring practices in its food safety program. The industry needs to make systematic changes to fortify its products routinely with quality nutrients. FFI’s first recommendation to any country considering for- tification is to form a national alliance. Seek participation and commitment from national leaders representing public, priva- te, and civic sectors. Involving all sectors early in the process prevents overlooking key information. It also builds commit- ment from each group to work toward success. Conclusion In 2002 when FFI began, 46 countries had mandates to for- tify wheat flour, and 18 percent of the world’s industrially mil- led wheat flour was fortified with at least iron and folic acid. By 2018, 86 countries had legislation to fortify industrially milled wheat flour, and 31 percent of the worlds’ industrially milled flour was fortified. While this is progress, more work needs to be done to fortify the global supply of industrially milled whe- at flour. This will help make progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, and more importantly, enable individuals to move closer toward reaching their full potential.