Miller Magazine Issue: 136 April 2021

78 MILLER / aprıl 2021 COVER STORY we have worked closely with the national government to strengthen the wheat flour fortification program and advo- cated for the adoption of new flour fortification standards which use more effective bio-available iron compounds. Previously, there were no guidelines, leaving many millers to use the cheapest compound available, which had little impact on reducing anaemia rates. But in February, the Indonesian government passed new legislation to align the country with World Health Organization recommen- dations and mandates on the use of bioavailable iron, such as ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate or ferric sodium eth- ylenediaminetetraacetate for fortification. We also work directly with millers, providing technical and business advisory support to strengthen food fortifica- tion industries. Through our Food Fortification Programme in Pakistan, we worked with wheat flour millers across the country to introduce better quality assurance and quality control, and provided testing equipment to ensure forti- fied wheat was up to standard. More than 1,000 of the country’s functional roller flour mills are now able to forti- fy wheat flour. The project is scaling up to a new phase as we endeavour to reach everyone, so that every citizen has a chance at a healthier, more productive future. Food fortification is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable interventions with an unparalleled ability to reach entire populations with essential nutrients, partic- ularly 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. REFERENCES 1 World Health Organization. The global prevalence of anaemia in 2011. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015 2 Guttmacher Institute. Intended and Unintended Preg- nancies Worldwide in 2012 and Recent Trends. Studies in Family Planning, Vol. 45, Iss. 3. September 2014.aaa