Food fortification for improved nutrition

12 December 2022. Food fortification for improved nutrition, Lessons learnt and recommendations from EU funded programmes supporting local production by INTPA Info Point

Recording available on the link of the conference

To strengthen these initiatives, the EC established and funded the Food Fortification Advisory Services (2FAS) in December 2015, which was implemented through a partnership between Landell Mills and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). 2FAS supported the EC, the EUDs and related public and private sector stakeholders to achieve sustainable food fortification programmes that are integrated into national food systems.

The EU funded 12 food fortification pilot projects in 10 countries: Chad, Congo DRC, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Sudan and Tajikistan.

The projects supported three key programmatic interventions - 1) production of fortified infant foods, 2) large-scale food fortification and 3) nutrient enriched crops – by providing technical support to food processors and encouraging policy dialogues with national authorities.

In addition to providing technical support and backstopping at country-level, the EU also funded 3 research studies:

1. Integrated Strategies for Micronutrient Deficiency Reduction
2. Public and private sector commitment to food fortification
3. Monitoring and impact assessment of food fortification programmes

The lessons learnt from these pilot projects and the findings from the research studies are feeding the reflexions of the EC for the next phase of programming to scale up EU’s support to local producers of fortified foods. The aim is to improve the accessibility and the affordability of nutritious foods for the most vulnerable ones, and thus contributing to reducing malnutrition, in particular micronutrient deficiencies.

• Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit, INTPA F3, Sustainable Agri-Food systems and Fisheries
• Christophe Guyondet, Team Leader, Food Fortification Advisory Services (2FAS)
• Inge Verdonk, Senior Key Expert, Food Fortification Advisory Services (2FAS)
• Mohamed Mansour, Senior Key Expert, Food Fortification Advisory Services (2FAS)
• Vanessa Jones, Senior Key Expert, Food Fortification Advisory Services (2FAS)
• Fadoi Chaouki Policy Officer, Nutrition, INTPA F3, Sustainable Agri-Food systems and Fisheries