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Monday, November 21, 2005
Support for fortified rice pushed
THE Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for the commercialization of vitamin and mineral-fortified rice in Region 12 or the Socssksargen Region over the next three years.
Leny Lleno, DOH-Region 12 food fortification program coordinator, said they have tied up with local rice millers and retailers for the promotion and adoption of technologies for the production of fortified rice.
She said the DOH, through the Bureau of Food and Drugs, earlier launched a series of training for rice millers on production of rice premix with iron.
"Three years from now, all rice products that will be sold in the region would be fortified with iron and other essential vitamins," Lleno said.
Lleno added several local rice millers have started to produce vitamin and iron fortified rice products but their supply is still insignificant.
So far, several supermarkets in the region have been selling fortified rice products like the "Vitamin Rice" brands and are starting to gain significant sales due to the growing number of health-conscious consumers in the area.
Lleno said studies have showed that residents, especially children, who consume food that are fortified with vitamins and various micronutrients are less prone to infection from common illnesses.
Lleno further said micronutrient supplements are specifically needed by children aged six months to six years old.
"Micronutrients like Vitamin A, Iron, Iodine, and Zinc are essential to children to increase their resistance against infectious diseases such as pneumonia, measles, diarrhea and even malaria," she said.
Lleno said pregnant and lactating mothers also need micronutrient supplements to lower maternal mortality rate. (Allen V. Estabillo)
(November 21, 2005 issue)
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