02/09/2013: Fortification of grain to curb anaemia; grain distribution starts in Delhi; Cargill's corporate responsibility report

According to news information service allAfrica, nutritionists in Tanzania are supporting a recent study that demands the mandatory fortification of some cereals to lead to the near eradication of anaemia.

Speaking exclusively to a local Tanzanian newspaper,  Dr Joyceline Kaganda, training director, Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) Department of Nutrition Education stated that anaemia is a big problem, especially in children under five and women of child bearing age. 

"Based on the poor nutrition situation Tanzania is facing, there is a great need for mandatory fortification on some cereals," added Kaganda. 

Read more...

As of September 1, 2013, the Food Security Programme formally began the distribution of food grains in New Delhi.

Sheila Dikshit, chief minister of New Delhi, distributed the food grains to the beneficiaries around the region. The scheme was originally launched on August 20th by Sonia Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson.

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Cargill has released its 2013 Corporate Responsibility Report entitled “Responsibility Across Many Dimensions.” It features Cargill’s actions to meet and exceed the expectations of its stakeholders by conducting business with integrity, operating responsible supply chains, working to feed the world and enriching our communities.

“Cargill’s vision to be the global leader in nourishing people gives a framework to all our actions. Whether it is storing crops and minimising spoilage; championing the use of practices that protect the environment; responsibly sourcing commodities; developing supply chains that respect people and human rights; or living up to the ethical standard we have set for ourselves - these are just a few examples of Cargill’s responsibility across many dimensions,” said Greg Page, Cargill chairman and chief executive officer.

View an expanded version of the report here.

A spoon containing breakfast cereal flakes, part of a strawberry, and milk is held in midair against a blue background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Event: Global Milling Conference

Fortify your flour! A plea to millers to help their customers to better health

While 73 countries worldwide had adopted mandatory flour fortification policies, including the USA, Canada, Australia along with numerous developing countries, India is proving difficult to be convinced of the benefits and remains an exception, relying on voluntary compliance where just 30 flour millers out of 1100 country-wide electing to fortify their flour for consumers.

“In India eight children out of 1000 are affected by folic acid deficiency. 75 percent of children under three suffer iron deficiency or anaemia. And 50 percent of all children suffer Vitamin A deficiency,” Dr Subrata Dutta, the nutritional coordinator for the Flour Fortification Initiative in New Delhi, told delegates attending the opening day of the 1^st Global Milling Conference in Chennai, India today.

He says he organisation is working to bring about changes in standard milling practices so that millers will commit to including micro-nutrients, such as zinc, iodine, iron, folate and Vitamin A on a voluntary basis to ensure people are “smarter, stronger and healthier.”

He told delegates that by not fortifying flour, the country was facing a “silent emergency”. He explained this as a health issue for the country as a lack of micro-nutrients in a largely cereal-based national diet could not be identified as a disease or an illness but was none-the-less had serious consequences for human health.

He was astounded to realise that it was almost 100 years since fortification had been first mooted and that the Indian government still procrastinated over the issue. As a result he said India was loosing out financially at a time when GDP was falling.

“If not having right quantities of micronutrients, the consequences are increased mortality, low birth weight, impaired mental development, chronic disease, infection and reduced productivity     

“A well-integrated strategy is, therefore, critical for long term success in reducing malnutrition, improving health, educational achievement and economic productivity,” he added.

He said in India people spent US$ 9.1 billion on tests, treatments and medical devices to manage communicable diseases - that is 3.3 percent of India’s GDP and four times the total spent by all state governments on healthcare.

“The projected cumulative loss in national income for India due to non-communicable disease mortality for 2006-2015 will be US$237 billion. That’s one percent of GDP lost due to productivity loss because of micronutrient deficiencies,” he said.

“People affected to the greatest degree are from low socio-economic condition. They suffer the most but have the least resources and so to reach them a special targeted effort is required.”

He called on the country’s 1070 remaining flour mills to adopt fortification on a voluntary basis.

Dr Subrata Dutta, the nutritional coordinator for the Flour Fortification Initiative in New Delhi, India pleads for flour fortification to tackle child and female health issues

New countries gain flour fortification status

Flour fortification status is growing and growing.  In fact, the number of countries with mandatory wheat flour fortification has more than doubled in last eight years. 

The latest additions to the flour fortification momentum are Moldova, Benin, and Togo. This makes 68 countries with such legislation, compared to 33 when FFI was formally launched in 2004.

“The growth in countries passing legislation is the result of the determination of country leaders to improve the health of their populations and the hard work of our many public, private, and civic sector partners,” says Scott Montgomery, FFI Director. “This milestone of doubling the number of countries is an achievement we can all celebrate.”

The new map and country list

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The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers. And blogs are written by the staff of Grain & Feed Milling Technology daily. Get your copy of 'PPLAPP', our mobile web application which will allow you to view this blog and other useful information while on the move.

Flour fortification an important issue

The health impact of flour fortification, is an important issue globally as much of the wheat's nutritional value is lost during the milling process. The loss of essential mineral, and vitamins can be replaced or increased through the fortification process. Iron is essential for a growing child physical and mental development, it is also important for all ages physical activity and work productivity.

FFI Flour fortification world map

Recently in Uganda the Ugandan government passed a mandate to implement wheat and maize flour fortification by the end of the year with nine vitamins and minerals. Uganda will become the 65th country to have a mandatory flour fortification policy. Flour-based foods such as bread, chapatti, naan, mandazi, and porridge are commonly consumed in Uganda; consequently the additional nutrients in flour are expected to improve health among the nation’s population of 33.7 million. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers. To get your copy of 'PPLAPP' click here.

Press Release: FFI Matters: "Accelerate Africa" proposal approved; Uzbekistan begins fortifying flour

Dear Friends of FFI,

In early March, the FFI Executive Management Team approved a proposal for FFI’s continued work in Africa. Their action followed a comprehensive six-month analysis of historical trends, partner activities, industry capacity, consumption, grain trading patterns, urbanisation rates, and potential health impact of fortification. See the FFI newsletter for a summary of the proposal as well as links to an in-depth Power Point explanation.

In another part of the world, Uzbekistan began fortifying flour and salt this year as part of a mandate from the Ministry of Health. The country is adding iron, folic acid, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin to first-grade flour.

We’re interested in knowing which countries are fortifying maize flour. Please send us information about your experiences so we can share that information with other countries that are considering maize flour fortification.

You may have already seen the news that Scott Montgomery is the new FFI Director. Read how he will use his business approach to benefit FFI.

We look forward to seeing many of you next week at the Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Monitoring and Surveillance workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Then we will anticipate seeing many more of you in Manila 27-29 September for a meeting on the regulatory monitoring of salt iodisation and flour fortification programs.

Sincerely,
The FFI Team

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This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.