Improving nutrition
China - NaFeEDTA Fortified Soy Sauce
The goal of the proposed food fortification project is to make iron fortified soy sauce available at an affordable price to all Chinese people who are at risk of IDA and reduce the prevalence of IDA by increasing the daily dietary intake of absorbable iron.
Target group
Consumer population of up to 360 million (about 30% of the total Chinese population), of which 129 million (about 10% of the total Chinese population) are the targeted at-risk population.
Fortificant
Food vehicle
Soy sauce
Outputs
Following a thorough review of available foods, traditional fermented soy sauce was selected as the food vehicle for China’s national iron fortification project. Soy sauce is a very popular traditional condiment in China, consumed by more than 70% of households, with an average consumption of 12.6 ml per person each day. Soy sauce consumption is generally higher in urban areas (15.9 ml/person/day) as compared to rural areas (10.6 ml per/ person/day).
Coverage
The project expects coverage to reach 57m at risk by Yr 3, and 129m at risk by Yr 5, 360m total population by Yr 5. [Note: “at risk” defined as population group with greater than 20% iron deficiency anemia).
Date
11/01/2003
Description
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), on behalf of the Chinese National Fortification Alliance (NFA), is supporting the implementation of a national food fortification project that makes iron fortified soy sauce available at an affordable price to all Chinese people who are at risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), and reduce the prevalence of IDA by increasing the daily dietary intake of absorbable iron. The focus of the project is the fortification of domestically produced soy sauce that is regularly consumed by the primary target population of low-income women and children living in rural areas. By consuming the iron fortified soy sauce, an estimated 129 million Chinese people who are at risk for iron deficiency anemia will benefit from the fortification program by the end of the five-year project.
Key achievements
Project active in 5 provinces and 2 cities, with 18 sentinel sites established. 14 producers are participating as at May 2006, 120,720MT of soya sauce fortified and 113,040 MT sold. The pilot health communication and social marketing campaign showed positive results. Local producers are being encouraged to join the project in order to reach people on the lowest incomes.
In-Country project advisor
UNOPS China
