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Enablers and Barriers of Zinc Fortification; Experience from 10 Low- and Middle-Income Countries with Mandatory Large-Scale Food Fortification

Authors :
Kenneth H. Brown
Robert E. Black
Ann Tarini
Mari S Manger
Christine McDonald
Frederick Grant
Laura A Rowe
Mduduzi N. N. Mbuya
Source :
Nutrients, vol 13, iss 6, Nutrients, Vol 13, Iss 2051, p 2051 (2021), Nutrients
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
eScholarship, University of California, 2021.

Abstract

Adequate zinc nutrition is important for child growth, neurodevelopment, immune function, and normal pregnancy outcomes. Seventeen percent of the global population is estimated to be at risk for inadequate zinc intake. However, zinc is not included in the fortification standards of several low- and middle-income countries with mandatory fortification programs, despite data suggesting a zinc deficiency public health problem. To guide policy decisions, we investigated the factors enabling and impeding the inclusion of zinc as a fortificant by conducting in-depth interviews with 17 key informants from 10 countries. Findings revealed the decision to include zinc was influenced by guidance from international development partners and enabled by the assessment of zinc deficiency, mandatory regional food fortification standards which included zinc, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for zinc fortification, and the low cost of zinc compound commonly used. Barriers included the absence of zinc from regional fortification standards, limited available data on the efficacy and effectiveness of zinc fortification, and the absence of national objectives related to the prevention of zinc deficiency. To promote zinc fortification there is a need to put the prevention of zinc deficiency higher on the international nutrition agenda and to promote large-scale food fortification as a key deficiency mitigation strategy.

Details

Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Nutrients, vol 13, iss 6, Nutrients, Vol 13, Iss 2051, p 2051 (2021), Nutrients
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....88958eeeb9262ccb08a12119c213eca9