Food fortification to boost maternal health

The fortification of staple foods is one way to improve child and maternal health around the world, health experts have explained.

Unicef is calling for governments around the globe to ensure flour is fortified with micronutrients, as this can boost the health of the whole population.

The positive effects of this are felt most keenly in children, with deficiencies of nutrients making them more liable to catch diseases.

More than one million children under five and 50,000 women during pregnancy die due to a lack of vitamins and nutrients.

Opening a regional workshop on flour fortification in Macedonia, Unicef representative Sheldon Yett said: "Wheat flour is a major food staple consumed regularly by all population groups. Most of the natural vitamins and minerals of wheat are lost during the milling process.

"Fortification allows for the restoration of the lost nutrients. Costing only pennies per ton, fortification is a proven strategy to boost the nutritional wellbeing of children and their communities."

More than 50 countries in eastern Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia have already introduced fortification strategies.

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