Approved Mandatory Food Fortification Decree
The National Food Fortification Programme is a Government of Mozambique led programme focused on the fortification of vegetable oil with vitamin A, and of wheat flour with iron, folic acid, B-complex vitamins, and zinc. It is one of the strategies identified to tackle micronutrient deficiencies, one of the main contributors of under nutrition in the country.
Mozambique has a very high rate of chronic malnutrition, with almost half (43%) of children under the age of five stunted. The main micronutrient deficiencies in Mozambique are Vitamin A deficiency, Iodine and Iron Deficiency Anaemia, thus the mass fortification of staples is an important strategy to improve the quality of diet and micronutrient intake of millions of Mozambicans. It is expected that 9 million people are reached with wheat flour and 12 million with vegetable oil across the country.
Ireland has been supporting the programme since 2011, through the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Helen Keller International (HKI). The programme involves a number of stakeholders including: Helen Keller International, the implementing agency for this programme; the Government of Mozambique counterparts are the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Health; and the industries themselves.
On March 16, 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the Mandatory Food Fortification Decree. The approval of this Decree is a huge accomplishment for the programme, as it will ensure sustainability of the programme. The foodstuffs covered by the Decree are:
- Wheat flour (for bread) – with Iron, Folic Acid, complex B vitamins and Zinc
- Vegetable oil – with Vitamin A
- Sugar – Vitamins A and D
- Maize flour – Iron, Folic Acid, complex B vitamins and Zinc
- Salt Iodization has been included under this law, although it is already mandatory.
Industries will have a grace period of 180 days before the law enters into force. The law will also apply to all import products which is particularly relevant in this case, considering the volume of imported food stuffs consumed locally.
For more info please check the link to the Food Fortification National Committee - CONFAM webpage.