KEY MESSAGES
- Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread globally; recent studies revealed that 1 in 2 children and 2 in 3 women are deficient in at least one micronutrient
- Fortifying staple foods with micronutrients is a costeffective and safe intervention that is proven to prevent micronutrient deficiencies and related outcomes
- While food fortification programmes are widely implemented around the world, gaps remain. The availability and coverage of high-quality fortified foods are often low, even in countries with fortification mandates, and many countries that could benefit from fortification programmes do not have them.
- Countries need support to implement best practices around appropriate programme design, effective monitoring of quality and compliance, and regular review of programme assumptions to ensure they remain safe and impactful over time.
- National governments, industry, technical partners, and donors all have diverse roles to play in strengthening food fortification programmes and enhancing impact.