Miller Magazine Issue: 136 April 2021

76 MILLER / aprıl 2021 COVER STORY For every person on the planet, access to essential vi- tamins and minerals – like iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin A – can be the difference between life or death, surviving or thriving. These micronutrients are essential for brains to develop fully, bodies to grow properly and immune sys- tems to function effectively. Globally, more than two billion people, especially women, girls and children, do not get the nutrition they need. The impacts of micronutrient deficiencies are dev- astating for individuals, families, and entire countries. The right nutrition at the right time is the foundation for every individual to contribute towards building a stronger, more equitable world. Fortifying foods with essential micronutrients is a proven and cost-effective method to get better nutrition to those who in need. Staple food fortification is ranked by the Copenhagen Consensus 2012 as one of the high- est-return interventions in global development, with every $1 invested generating $27 in economic returns. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more diffi- cult for people in the most vulnerable situations to get the requisite nutrients. Disrupted supply chains and income losses have left people turning to the cheapest food they can afford, which is also often the least nutritious. Staples like wheat flour, rice or maize will satiate their hunger but not fill their nutritional needs. But by fortifying these com- mon foods, more people can be reached with improved nutrition. Wheat flour is an ideal vehicle for fortification because it is a staple in many countries and widely consumed in breads, noodles and other processed foods. It can be for- tified with several micronutrients, including iron and folic acid, and can therefore help prevent two of the world’s most common micronutrient deficiencies: iron-deficiency anaemia and folate deficiency – both of which dispropor- tionately affect women, girls and children. “Food fortification is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable interventions with an unparalleled ability to reach entire populations with essential nutrients, particularly those who might not otherwise have access. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized the value of fortification and the importance of scaling up, so that more people will get the nutrition they need – not just to survive – but to reach their full potential.” Flour fortification can prevent some of the world’s most common micronutrient deficiencies Dr. Noor Khan Director Food Fortification Program Pakistan