Improving nutrition
South Africa - Fortification of Wheat Flour and Maize Meal
To provide project monitoring assistance and advisory services to GAIN in support of its funding of the National Program for mandatory flour fortification in South Africa. This includes the provision of independent qualified advice to GAIN at the country level in respect of project performance and accountable use of grant funds.
Target group
Women and pre-school children
Fortificant
Food vehicle
Maize flour, wheat flour
Outputs
To monitor the fortification process through the addition of the micronutrients listed below, with the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency of one or more nutrients in the general population or specific population group of South Africa.
Coverage
The project expects coverage to reach 30m overall in the first year; including 21m at risk. [Note: at risk estimate based on 70% 1-9 yr olds consume diet less than two thirds RDI for iron and vitamin A].
Date
02/01/2004 - 03/01/2003
Description
The project supports the implementation of a national mandatory food fortification program to make fortified wheat flour and maize meal available to all South African citizens at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and reduce the prevalence of deficiencies by improving diet quality (the “Program”). The Program focuses on the fortification of wheat flour and maize meal consumed regularly by South Africans. At current combined adult consumption of 200 grams per day, the legislated fortification levels will provide up to 40 per cent of the Recommended Daily Allowance for eight vitamins and minerals, after projecting for losses in distribution, storage and cooking. GAIN funding under the project will supplement cash and in-kind contributions from the Government of South Africa.
Key achievements
Fortified wheat and maize flour commercially available
Large scale radio campaign for 14 weeks on 9 African language stations
Monitoring program in place with 1526 Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) trained
Micronutrient deficiency prevalence survey completed in 2006 with final report expected in November 2006.
Spina bifida reduced by 40% (study undertaken in four provinces)
Agencies
In-Country project advisor
Development Bank of Southern Africa
