GAIN Confronted by Challenges of Covid-19 on Food Fortification in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan

Fortification programs in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have ample supply of fortified foods and a steady distribution network to reach its target populations amid the COVID-19 crisis, but the lack of quality assurance and control is concerning, FoodNavigator-Asia reported on May 20, after it spoke with experts from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) which carries out large-scale food fortification in all three countries.  In India, food fortification projects began in 2011, fortifying wheat flour (iron, folic, acid, vit B12), edible oils (Vit A and D), milk (Vit A and D), as well as salt (iodine and iron).  In Pakistan, large-scale food fortification projects started in 2007, with wheat flour and oil.  In Bangladesh, fortification centres around oil, salt and rice.

The global food supply chain experienced a massive disruption last year with many countries imposing restrictions.  In India, however, the fortification industry was largely spared, as restrictions on commodities like oil, salt and rice were relaxed.  In Pakistan, there were no shortages of micronutrient premixes so production of fortified foods were not hindered. However, the pandemic affected quality assurance and control. In Bangladesh, inspectors could not physically visit production facilities and refineries to monitor production or collect samples for testing during lockdown. In India, there is need to boost testing.  However, food fortification in the country is not mandatory presently. 

GAIN is constantly expanding its outreach across the three countries.  In India, its fortification work spans across 16 Indian states, with some 800 and 20 million peoples having access to fortified edible oil and milk daily.  India recently issued a notification stating it was mandatory for edible oil and milk to be fortified in the country.  In Bangladesh with a population of 160 million, about 50% of the population have access to fortified oil and salt.  It is mandatory that all edible oil (soybean, palm) are fortified with vitamin A, and salt with iodine.  Pakistan, wheat fortification remains largely voluntary, while oil fortification is mandatory.