This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable objective and transparent tracking of processed food composition around the world. The information collected will support government and food industry efforts to improve the nutrient composition of processed foods around the world.

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Background: A national survey found that micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in South African children, particularly calcium, iron, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 , folate, vitamin A, E and C. Mandatory fortification of maize meal and wheat flour were introduced in 2003 to combat some of the deficiencies found in children. To date however, there has not been a national survey on dietary intake in adults. Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the micronutrient intake of the diet consumed by the average adult South African by means of secondary data analyses and secondly to evaluate the effects of fortification on selected nutrient intakes. Study design: Secondary data analysis was carried out with numerous dietary surveys on adults to create a database that included sampling (and weighting) according to ethnic/urban-rural residence in line with the population census, of which 79% were black Africans and the majority resided in rural areas. The effect of fortification was evaluated by substituting fortified foods in the diet for the unfortified products. Subjects: The combined database used in this study comprised 3229 adults. Results: Mean calcium, iron, folate and vitamin B 6 intakes were very low particularly in women. Mean intakes of most micronutrients were lower in rural areas. Fortification of maize meal and wheat flour (bread) raised mean levels of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 and folate above the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs). In women, despite fortification, mean iron intakes remained below the RNIs, as did calcium since it was not in the fortification mix. Conclusion: The average dietary intake of adults was of poor nutrient density, particularly in rural areas. Fortification of maize meal and wheat flour (bread) considerably improved mean vitamin B 6 , thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and iron intakes as well as the overall mean adequacy ratio of the diet.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and the haemopoietic nutrient status of older mixed ancestry (coloured) South Africans. Design: A cross-sectional analytic study. Subjects: A random sample of 200 non-institutionalized subjects aged ! 65 y of age, resident in urban Cape Town, was drawn using a two-stage cluster design. Methods: Trained ®eldworkers interviewed subjects to obtain demographic and lifestyle data. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were drawn for the determination of haematological parameters, serum vitamin B 12 , serum folate, RBC folate and a full blood count. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 13.9. Eight of the 26 cases of anaemia (31) were associated with suboptimal haemopoietic nutrient status; 2(25) and 3(38) cases of these 8 anaemic subjects had suboptimal vitamin B 12 and folate status, respectively. Iron de®ciency anaemia accounted for 5(63) of the subjects with nutrition-related anaemia. Ten men and two women (6.5 of subjects) had raised serum ferritin concentrations, half of whom had abnormal biochemical parameters indicative of alcohol abuse. Conclusions: Older coloured South Africans, particularly women, should be encouraged to eat diets with a high nutrient density and to consume adequate amounts of foods high in iron, folate and vitamin B 12 . Further investigation regarding the high prevalence of hyperferritinaemia found in the men in this population is indicated. Sponsorship: Financial assistance from the HSRC/UCT Centre for Gerontology, the South African Sugar Association, the Zerilda Steyn Memorial Trust and the Medical Research Council (DL) for this project is acknowledged.