Model for estimating nutrient addition contents to staple foods fortified simultaneously: Mexico and Kampala data

The objective of this work was to present a generic model for estimating fortification contents when several food vehicles are being considered simultaneously. It is based on approximating the magnitude of the nutritional inadequacy of the population (nutrient gap), the optimal use of the combination of food vehicles (fortifiable food energy, FFE), and the upper intake level to decrease the possibility that individuals with the highest combined intake of all food vehicles will exceed it. The model is intended to be used when only per capita food and micronutrient intake information, not detailed food intake data, are available. Food consumption survey data from Mexico and Kampala (Uganda) were analyzed for adult women, assuming that their intake may be similar to general per capita values. General adjustment factors for estimating the lowest and highest FFE and micronutrient intake for satisfying the requirements of other family members were calculated. These factors were used to estimate the additional effective content and the maximum allowable content, and then the recommended nutrient contents at the consumers' level were chosen on the basis of technological compatibility and cost. The method should be used in other contexts to test its validity as well as its application to nonstaple foods.

Legislative frameworks for corn flour and maize meal fortification

Corn flour and maize meal fortification can benefit the consumer when the added nutrient contents are in amounts appropriate to address nutrient gaps. Legislative instruments (standards and regulations) are needed to provide guidance to the producers and food control authorities. We reviewed a number of national standards and regulations of fortified corn flour and maize meal and identified constraints; contrary to current belief, the practice of using minimum contents or ranges of nutrients has caused confusion, misinterpretation, and conflict, and should therefore be abandoned. On the basis of the findings, a model of fortification legislation is proposed, in which the additional content and the expected average nutrient content in a final product are recommended as the main parameters for quality control and enforcement. For labeling, the average content, or one adjusted to the expected content of the product at the market, can be applied. Variation in micronutrient contents should still be checked to ensure homogeneity but with adherence to clear procedures of sampling and testing, which should be part of the standards and regulations.