EXPERTS MEET IN BEIJING TO PRESS FOR UNIVERSAL FLOUR FORTIFICATION IN CHINA. "Why not fortify wheat and why not now?" asks UNICEF's Programme Director, Mr Alan Court.
International and Chinese nutrition experts and corporate leaders from the cereals sector are meeting to help make the case for universally fortifying flour to address vitamin and mineral deficiencies (VMD) which are still widespread in China. The meeting's organizers hope flour fortification could further build on the nation's exceptional progress in reducing malnutrition, with rates of stunting reduced by more than half from 19% in 1990 to 8% in 2002. China has also sustained 90% coverage of iodized salt since 1999, a global success story which the event organizers believe could now be used to address other nutrition issues. The two-day meeting is hosted by the China Cereals and Oils Association (CCOA) and organized by the Center for Public Nutrition and Development in China (PNDC). Sponsors include the State Grain Authority (SGA) , the China National Association of Grain sector, the Flour Fortification Initiative (FFI) leaders' Group, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the China CDC, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and “Sight for Life”. In his welcome to delegates, Mr Yu Xiaodong, Director of the PNDC, affirmed the Chinese Government's commitment to improving the health and nutrition of its people. He welcomed the opportunity the meeting provided for experience exchange on flour fortification between China and the rest of the world. Speakers at the opening session stressed the importance of universal flour fortification as a cost-effective way to control VMD, thereby benefiting most Chinese families without incurring any attendant risks. Fortified flour could thus provide an essential foundation for nutrition improvement which could then be followed by the fortification of other staple foods with vitamins and minerals. Mr Scott J. Montgomery, Chair of the Flour Fortification Initiative (FFI), explained the role of the FFI as engaging senior executives in public, private and civic sectors all over the world and bringing them together in a global movement to support national fortification efforts. “We work with governments to make fortification a required standard and we work with industry to make it happen”, he said.
Mr Alan Court, Director of UNICEF's Programme Division described universal fortification as the most cost-effective way of reducing micro-nutrient deficiencies. “Fortifying wheat flour with iron and folic acid is high-impact, fast, low cost and doable, so that the question to be asked is not why should China fortify but rather—why not and why not now?”
Mr Chen Jiaji of the State Grain Administration outlined his agency's work with pilot flour fortification projects aimed at adapting them best to conditions in China. A survey the SGA conducted of the country's leading flour producers had confirmed their willingness to become involved with flour fortification
The 2-day meeting follows last week's launch of the latest United Nations “Progress for Children” report card on nutrition, which highlighted the lack of progress made globally in combating under-nourishment in children. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies were one of the main issues highlighted in this report. In 2002, UN Member Governments pledged themselves, through the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) , “ to achieve sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders by 2005 and reduce by one third the prevalence of anaemia, including iron deficiency by 2010, and accelerate progress towards reduction of other micronutrient deficiencies, through dietary diversification, food fortification and supplementation.” This wider international context makes this 2-day meeting in Beijing particularly significant both for China and for the achievement of the MDG's.
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