ADDIS ABABA– Ethiopia has launched a 5-year National Food Fortification Program aimed at combating malnutrition by ensuring food safety and increasing micronutrient intake, according to the Ministry of Industry (MoI).
The strategic plan, unveiled yesterday in the presence of ministry representatives, MPs, development partners, and nutrition experts, mandates food processing industries to fortify wheat flour, edible oil, and iodized salt. This initiative is part of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to address malnutrition across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting the manufacturing sector to enhance food fortification. He noted that initiatives like Yelimat Tirufat and the Let Ethiopia Produce movement are being promoted to ensure food safety and nutritional security. The ministry is prioritizing capacity building, technical support, and incentives for manufacturers to strengthen their ability to fortify food products.
Health Minister Mekdes Daba (MD) emphasized that adding micronutrients to certain food products is an effective strategy to improve their health benefits and support the country’s overall development. She stressed the importance of incorporating fortification into the national culture to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply with minimal health risks. “Given that micronutrient deficiency is a public health concern in Ethiopia, we are promoting food-based approaches to tackle hidden hunger,” she said.
According to Mekdes, approximately 39% of children under five in Ethiopia suffer from malnutrition, with 11% experiencing wasting and 22% being underweight. The ministry is also developing mechanisms to ensure food safety from production to consumption across the country.
The Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center General Manager Bekele Mekuria stressed the cost-effectiveness of food fortification as a simple solution to improve public health and minimize socioeconomic crises. He cited a study by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, noting that malnutrition affects over 5.8 million children under five and leads to an annual loss of $4.5 billion.
The enforcement of mandatory food fortification standards for local producers has been in effect since April 2024, targeting edible oil, wheat flour, and iodized salt. Bekele also advocated for the inclusion of fortified foods in school feeding programs, universities, and government procurement directives.
The officials called on the media and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of fortified foods to enhance public health and combat malnutrition in Ethiopia.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
The Ethiopian herald September 1/2024
