Folic acid fortification of double fortified salt

Abstract

The addition of folic acid to Double Fortified Salt (with iron and iodine) aims to simultaneously ameliorate three major micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. To make Triple Fortified Salt, we added folic acid to the iodine solution (first method) and the iron premix (second method) that are used to fortify salt with iron and iodine. When added through the solution, sodium carbonate was needed to dissolve folic acid and to adjust pH. Alternately, folic acid was added either to the iron core or sandwiched between the core and TiO2 layer of the iron premix. Folic acid and iodine were stable in all cases, retaining more than 70% of the added micronutrients after six months at 45 °C/60–70% relative hu. Adding folic acid to the premix's iron core is preferred as folic acid retention was slightly higher, and the added folic acid did not impact the salt's colour. The additional cost for adding the micronutrients to salt is about 27¢/person per year. Folic acid in the fortified salt made with the preferred method was stable in cooking and did not affect selected cooked foods' sensory properties. The technology is a cost-effective approach for simultaneously combating iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies.

Modeling the Contribution of Multiple Micronutrient Fortification of Salt to Daily Nutrient Intake Among the Ethiopian Population

“…Addition rate of micronutrients in other studies ranged from 5 to 52 μg and 1.4 mg/g of salt of folic acid and zinc, respectively [ 8 , 9 , 19 , [46] , [47] , [48] ]. Iodine and folic acid can be added through spray solution without the need for changing the existing fortification equipment [ 48 ].…”

“…Addition rate of micronutrients in other studies ranged from 5 to 52 μg and 1.4 mg/g of salt of folic acid and zinc, respectively [ 8 , 9 , 19 , [46] , [47] , [48] ]. Iodine and folic acid can be added through spray solution without the need for changing the existing fortification equipment [ 48 ]. However, color change was observed on the fortified salt when folic acid is added as spray at a rate of 12.5–25 μg/g of salt [ 8 ], but the same amount did not show the color change when added as premix [ 48 ].…”

“…Iodine and folic acid can be added through spray solution without the need for changing the existing fortification equipment [ 48 ]. However, color change was observed on the fortified salt when folic acid is added as spray at a rate of 12.5–25 μg/g of salt [ 8 ], but the same amount did not show the color change when added as premix [ 48 ]. To our knowledge, studies focusing on the technology of triple fortification of salt with iodine, folic acid, and zinc are not available.…”

“…Level of premix addition was calculated taking into account the factors such as the size of the nutrient gap between nutrient intake from usual diet and EAR of nutrients specified by demographic groups, the amount of daily discretionary salt consumption [ 45 ], technological feasibility and cost analysis [ 19 ], sensory (e.g., color and taste) attributes of fortified salt and consumer acceptability [ 8 , 9 , 19 , [46] , [47] , [48] ]. In addition, fortification levels were set with the intention to maximize nutrient adequacy but the risk of excess intake was limited to <5% of the population [ 4 ].…”

Switching the World’s Salt Supply—Learning from Iodization to Achieve Potassium Enrichment

“…Salt is a convenient vehicle for fortification [ 51 ], and there has been long-standing interest in fortifying salt with iron to combat iron deficiency [ 15 , 52 ] and folic acid to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects [ 53 , 54 ]. Recently, the potential to fortify salt with potassium to decrease blood pressure and lower cardiovascular disease risk has been identified.…”