Improving nutrition in India

Free fortified chapatis served at the famous Pushkar Fair help raise awareness of food fortification as a means to improve nutrition 

FWF products being tasted by crowds at Pushkar and a camel draped in messages on fortified flour

Chapatis (Indian bread) made with fortified wheat flour, were served free at the famous Pushkar Fair, an annual camel and livestock fair, which attracts thousands of people from around the world to the region.

This major annual public event was used by the Indian Institute of Health Management and Research, in association with the Rajasthan government, to create awareness amongst the visitors that food fortification is one of the most effective food-based approaches to improving nutrition, especially in low per capita income states like Rajasthan.

The GAIN supported campaign brought home the message that fortification does not lead to any change in the colour, texture, taste and cooking properties of the wheat flour

GAIN helping to fortify food in India

The Indian Institute of Health Management and Research, in association with the Rajasthan government, is leading India's biggest food fortification project with technical and financial support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

GAIN’s advocacy efforts in the region encouraged the government of Rajasthan to introduce fortified wheat flour into the Public Distribution System in 2011. It is expected that over 632,000MTs of fortified produce will be distributed through Fair Price Shops, benefitting over 12.8 million ‘Ration Card Holders’ in the region. 

Wheat flour is currently fortified with iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid, and there are plans to fortify oil and milk with vitamin A in an attempt to reduce soaring rates of micronutrient malnutrition in the state.

The Rajasthan fortification project seeks to establish food-based strategies, especially fortification, as one of the primary nutritional interventions in the fight against malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

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