Processors yet to comply with fortification #kenya

Maize millers in Kenya are yet to heed the government's
directive on maize fortification. Currently, only 30 per cent
of maize in the country is fortified.
Nutritionists want millers and other food processors to raise
this percentage to a level that can address malnutrition
sufficiently.
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (Gain) country
director Adan Kabelo said despite a law being in place
since 2012, there has been little attention to fortification
with only 180 brands of processed foods being fortified and
certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards.
"Food fortified in the country is low, despite presence of a
law since 2012. However with the help of the ministry of
health and standards body, we are tracking industries that
have not taken these regulations seriously. This is to
ensure they test the foods individually to check whether
they are fortified," added Kabelo.
The ministry of public health through the Kenya Gazette
Notice Supplement No. 62 declared that packaged dry
milled maize products shall be fortified and conform to the
required nutrients, fortification compounds, recommended
factory average and regulatory requirements. The same
regulations also require that vegetable fats and oils be
fortified with Vitamin A in accordance with the Kenya
Standard for edible fats and oils.
Kabelo adds that with one out of three children in the
country stunted, food fortification is the answer to this
problem and other conditions such as malnutrition.
"Lack of minerals in our Vitamin A is a contributor to
stunted growth, leaving a person shorter physically and
mentally. Stunted growth among Kenyans is a slow killer.
We urge companies to make sure they fortify maize flour
and edible oils to reduce the problem," he said during a
training of quality control personnel of industries, national
public health laboratory staff and consumer representatives
in Nairobi.
Malnutrition kills 53 per cent of Kenyans, which is massive
compared to HIV/Aids which results in three per cent
deaths of the country's population. Kabelo appealed for
continued sensitisation of people to pay more attention to
what they are buying for consumption.
"An estimated 74 per cent of children in Kenya suffer from
Vitamin A deficiency that causes malnutrition, while 60 per
cent of mothers who are in child bearing age agonise from
anaemia, a condition brought about by lack of iron in the
body. Why should people suffer yet we have a solution -- a
test kit for measuring the nutrient content of food as well as
the nutrient intake of people," Kabelo said.