Thursday, December 14, 2006 'Food fortification, answer to malnutrition'
DUE to the fact that micro-nutrient supplements are too expensive for Filipino consumers, food fortification is said to be the answer to the nationwide problem of malnutrition.
"For this, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is pushing for the full implementation of food fortification," said NNC regional coordinator Teresa Ungson at the Grand Men Seng Hotel where the Barangay Nutrition Advocacy Training was held Wednesday.
Ungson said the barangays are mandated to prepare a nutrition program for 2007 that includes information drive encouraging the patronage of vitamin-fortified products.
In Davao City, there is 100 percent implementation of the use of iodized salt that made the city a national model in lectures nationwide.
Ungson said there are currently promotion campaign efforts of the iron-fortified rice to fight iron deficiency anemia that cause the increase of mother and infant mortality rates and slows down the learning capacity of schoolchildren and the productivity of adults.
She added that Davao City is lucky to have an active and supportive business sector who have made efforts and procured equipment to localize the production of iron-fortified rice, making it more affordable in the city compared to other areas who has to get it from outside sources.
She said an increase of about a peso per kilo is expected for fortified rice grains.
Ungson added that those who do not comply with the food-fortification law will face sanctions. However, she was quick to add that no area has been cited for non-compliance so far. (GLP)
