Fortification of sugar with iron sodium ethylenediaminotetraacetate (FeNaEDTA) improves iron status in semirural Guatemalan populations

A 32-mo-long, double-blind field study involving one highland control community receiving only vitamin A-fortified sugar and three vitamin A- and FeNaEDTA-sugar-fortified communities, two in the lowlands and one in the highlands of Guatemala, was undertaken to test the effectiveness of this approach in controlling iron deficiency. The communities' population ranged between 1200 and 17000. Sugar fortified with 1 g FeNaEDTA and 15 mg retinol as retinyl palmitate/kg was stable, did not segregate, and was well accepted by the communities. The impact of fortification on iron nutrition was estimated at 8, 20, and 32 mo of intervention. All pregnant women and subjects with severe anemia received supplements or treatment and were excluded from the analysis. Iron stores in the fortified communities increased significantly except for women 18-48 y of age in one lowland community and > 49 y in the highland community. Iron stores in the control community remained unchanged except for a rise among adult males.