FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 2- What is the Impact of LSFF?
Micronutrient deficiencies are estimated to cost a loss of between 2-5 percent of a country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP).
Every $1 invested in fortification generates $27 in economic return from prevented disease, improved earnings, and enhanced work productivity.
The success of large-scale food fortification efforts on cognitive development is tremendous:
- After salt iodization was introduced in the US in 1924, IQ increased by approximately 15 points in areas with high levels of iodine deficiency and 3.5 points nationally.
- Over the past 20 years, the number of countries with acceptable iodine intake has nearly doubled—from 67 in 2003 to 118 in 2020.
FAQ 3- How do we Enhance the Success of Large-Scale Food Fortification?
Data for program design, decision-making, and evaluation.
By working to close data gaps, we can monitor processes more efficiently, diagnose and troubleshoot issues more effectively, share best practices that can be utilized more widely, and have real-time information ready for governments and stakeholders to make informed decisions about how best to address micronutrient deficiencies.
Evidence-informed standards and guidelines.
By developing more accessible and tailored tools with which governments can adopt and enforce fortification guidelines, we can ensure that both standards and regulatory practices achieve maximum impact.
Modern tools for food processing environments.
By simplifying procedures utilizing digital tools we can improve the transparency and traceability of food fortification quality of the private sector’s fortification practices, as well as the enforcement actions of governments.
Fortification innovation.
Research and development can expand the range and levels of vitamins and minerals that can be delivered by different staple foods and condiments. Accelerated research is needed to bring these solutions to market, more quickly.
FAQ 4- Why is Large-Scale Food Fortification an Effective Intervention in Addressing Malnutrition?
It can scale rapidly
Fortification occurs in existing food processing facilities that are managed locally by the private sector, ensuring fortified staples become part of the local food production process, and can quickly reach many people.
It’s sustainable
After initial start-up costs, large-scale food fortification costs are low and require no change to consumer purchasing or eating patterns.
It’s cost-effective
One of the most cost-effective development investments, it costs just pennies per person per year. The benefit-cost ratios are impressive at 30:1 for iodine in salt, 46:1 for folic acid in wheat or maize flour, and 8:1 for iron in wheat or maize flour.