The global regulatory landscape regarding micronutrient fortification of condiments and seasonings

Self Cite

Biofortification of crops is being introduced in several countries as a strategy to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortified products, with increased contents of micronutrients, are currently produced by conventional plant breeding, genetic modification, or nutrient-enhanced fertilization. Corn, rice, wheat, beans, pearl millet, sweet potato, and cassava have been biofortified with increased contents of provitamin A carotenoids, iron, or zinc. However, regulatory considerations are rare or nonexistent. The objective of this paper is to review the regulatory framework for production and marketing of biofortified crops in countries that have adopted this strategy. The information was identified using Internet search engines and websites of health and nutrition organizations and nongovernmental organizations and by consulting scientists and government authorities. Thus far, biofortified products introduced in Latin America, Africa, and Asia have been produced only by conventional breeding. Cultivars using other techniques are still under testing. The production and marketing of these products have been conducted without regulatory framework and under limited government control or regulatory guidance. Nevertheless, some countries have integrated biofortified crops into their nutrition agendas. Although improvements by conventional breeding have not been subject to regulations, when biofortification becomes expanded by including other techniques, an appropriate regulatory framework will be necessary.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global regulatory framework for production and marketing of crops biofortified with vitamins and minerals

Mejía

Dary

Boukerdenna

2016

Self Cite

“…Additional MN intake is unnecessary if diets are already adequate—an extreme example is that of a community in South Africa where liver is commonly consumed and diets contain excessive retinol in the absence of public health programs . Voluntary fortification, of processed foods in particular, is expanding in many parts of the world . For example, in the Philippines, over 120 processed food products are fortified with iron, iodine, or VA as part of the Sankap Pinoy Seal program .…”

Section: Data Collection Instruments Used To Determine Micronutrientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…41 Voluntary fortification, of processed foods in particular, is expanding in many parts of the world. 42 For example, in the Philippines, over 120 processed food products are fortified with iron, iodine, or VA as part of the Sankap Pinoy Seal program. 43 In West Africa, fortified bouillon cubes have been introduced on a voluntary basis, although the impact on MN intake is uncertain.…”

Section: Data Collection Instruments Used To Determine Micronutrientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weighing the risks of high intakes of selected micronutrients compared with the risks of deficiencies

Engle‐Stone

Vosti

Luo

et al. 2019

Several intervention strategies are available to reduce micronutrient deficiencies, but uncoordinated implementation of multiple interventions may result in excessive intakes. We reviewed relevant data collection instruments and available information on excessive intakes for selected micronutrients and considered possible approaches for weighing competing risks of intake above tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) versus insufficient intakes at the population level. In general, population‐based surveys in low‐ and middle‐income countries suggest that dietary intakes greater than the UL are uncommon, but simulations indicate that fortification and supplementation programs could lead to high intakes under certain scenarios. The risk of excessive intakes can be reduced by considering baseline information on dietary intakes and voluntary supplement use and continuously monitoring program coverage. We describe a framework for comparing risks of micronutrient deficiency and excess, recognizing that critical information for judging these risks is often unavailable. We recommend (1) assessing total dietary intakes and nutritional status; (2) incorporating rapid screening tools for routine monitoring and surveillance; (3) addressing critical research needs, including evaluations of the current ULs, improving biomarkers of excess, and developing methods for predicting and comparing risks and benefits; and (4) ensuring that relevant information is used in decision‐making processes.

“…Regulations provide considerable support to fortification programs because they prevent the marketing of unsuitable products, limit what can and cannot be added to a product, and control the claims that can be made. Regulations also offer the opportunity for increased sustainability of a fortification program …”

Section: Summary Of the Technical Presentationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regulations also offer the opportunity for increased sustainability of a fortification program. 31 Furthermore, economic feasibility of industrially fortified condiments and seasonings will vary depending on the context. The cost-effectiveness of fortification has been established for vehicles such as wheat flour, but economic costs of condiment fortification are not readily available.…”

Section: Considerations On Economic Feasibility and Regulatory Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fortification of condiments with micronutrients in public health: from proof of concept to scaling up

Garcı́a-Casal

Peña‐Rosas

Mclean

et al. 2016

. The consultation covered aspects related to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and legal frameworks of fortification programs, as well as food safety and policy coherence for condiment fortification in the context of other public health strategies. This paper introduces the background and rationale of the technical consultation, synopsizes the presentations, and provides a summary of the main considerations proposed by the working groups.