Food Fortification free essay sample

There is an estimated 2 billion cases of anaemia worldwide. ?In developing countries, anaemia prevalence rates are expected to be about 50% in pregnant women and infants under two years, 40% in school-aged children. ?Iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for about 50% of all anaemia cases.? Reduced cognitive performance ? Lower work performance ?Increased risk of maternal and child mortality. Vitamin A? An estimated 254 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient. ?Increased risk of mortality in children and pregnant women ? Night blindness, xerophthalmia Iodine? An estimated 2 billion people have inadequate iodine nutrition and therefore are at risk of iodine deficiency disorders.? Birth defects and increased risk of stillbirth and infant mortality ? Impaired cognitive function ?Goitre Food fortification in Africa In Africa, about thirty six countries are routinely fortifying salt with iodine, and several of these, including Benin, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have achieved high rates of salt iodization. Over 70% of all new-born babies are now protected from brain damage due to iodine deficiency. We will write a custom essay sample on Food Fortification or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Relief and development agencies, notably the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations key agency in the fight against hunger, increasingly require that the commodities they procure for distribution be fortified with key vitamins and minerals, according to international and national standards. Countries in Africa, particularly West Africa, represent some of the most nutritionally at risk and most food insecure populations in the world and the consequences are enormous. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 14% of the world’s micronutrient malnourished populations, that is, nearly 170 million people are suffering from either vitamin A, iodine or iron deficiencies. Countries in Africa, particularly West Africa, represent some of the most nutritionally at risk and most food insecure populations in the world Market Analysis The world has recently started realising the full extent and impact of icronutrient malnutrition. Deficits in three key micronutrients — vitamin A, iron and iodine — remain a major concern to governments around the world. Governments, often assisted by international agencies and non-governmental organizations and industry, have for many decades taken steps to eliminate or reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Building on the impressive results of the reduction in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) through the fortification of table salt with iodine, vigorous efforts are currently being made to address other micronutrient deficiencies through the fortification of appropriate foods. Micronutrients are added to foods at three levels: such as whole grain milled cereals, oils fats, sugar and salt BASIC FOODS such as breads, biscuits, packaged cereals and dairy products VALUE ADDED FOODS such as condiments, beverages convenience foods and sweets and candies Commonly Fortified Foods Across the World The most commonly fortified foods and associated nutrients are: FoodNutrient SaltIodine, Iron, Fluoride Wheat and Maize floursIron, Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin A, Zinc Cooking Oils and FatsVitamins A and D SugarVitamin A Condiments (Sauces)Iron MilkVitamins A and D, Iron Complementary FoodsIron, Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin A, Zinc Key Competitors/Major Players There are three key players in the production of vitamins and mineral premixes for both humans and animals. They include ? DSM Nutritional Product ?Lycored ?Provimi DSM nutritional products are one of the leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids and other ingredients to the feed, food, pharmaceuticals industry. They manufacture and supply micronutrients blends and premixes. The business has sales of over EUR 2 billion and a long tradition as a pioneer in the discovery of new products, new formulations and attractive applications for all industry segments. LycoRed, headquartered in the UK, LycoRed is a global vitamin premix mineral premix supplier. It manufactures custom-made premixes for the food and dietary supplement industries. They provide vertical fortification solutions from innovative, proprietary ingredients through extensive formulation know-how. Provimi is a worldwide market leader in premixes. The company is headquartered in The Netherlands and it specializes in animal nutrition.