VITAMIN A FORTIFIed PEANUT BUTTER - The Official Website of ...

INTRODUCTION
Physical and mental deformities, high risk of infection, low work productivity and increased
mortality in children are some of the deleterious consequences of micronutrient malnutrition. Principal
micronutrients that contribute to malnutrition are vitamin A, iron and iodine. The Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) International Conference on Nutrition (ICN), held
in Rome in December 1992, recognized the widespread occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies,
particularly in developing countries. The conference recognized food-based approaches as the most
effective way to address existing micronutrient deficiencies.
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has long been recognized in the Philippines. The 4 th National
Nutrition Survey conducted in 1993 revealed that 3 to 4 out of 10 preschool-age children and 1 to 2 out of
10 pregnant and lactating women are afflicted with VAD (Kuizon, 1993). It has also been shown that
women of reproductive-age living in VAD area frequently report night blindness during pregnancy and/or
lactation (Villavieja et al, 2001).
The 5 th National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1998 showed little improvement. The recent
survey however affirmed that households with lower socioeconomic status (mothers/caregivers who are
laborers, unskilled workers, agricultural workers and semi-skilled workers) were found to have higher
prevalence of night blindness. This group generally has limited resources and is more often than not,
deprived of better quality diets. With the very limited education attained by these women, it is expected
that their knowledge is also limited with regard to proper choice of food (Villavieja et al, 2001). Overall,
the situation remains a significant public health problem.
In response to the current state of micronutrient malnutrition in the Philippines, the Philippine
Government, through the Department of Health (DOH) launched a program, the Philippine Plan of Action
for Nutrition, as a response to the problems besetting the country. Strategies implemented in the program
were (1) “Araw ng Sangkap Pinoy”, periodic administration of high dose vitamin A supplement to
children 1-5 years of age and, (2) “Sangkap Pinoy Seal (SPS)” program, a food fortification program
where staple foods and widely consumed processed food products are used as vehicles for micronutrient
supplementation. The latter strategy was recognized during the 1992 Food and Agricultural Organization
(FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) International Conference on Nutrition as the most viable and
cost-effective food-based approach to address existing micronutrient deficiencies (Lofti et al., 1996;
Oriss, 1998).
With the increasing number and types of processed foods in the market today, coupled with the
changing lifestyle and increase in popularity of processed foods, convenience foods are presumably the
popular vehicles for fortification. The Philippine’s DOH, as of 1999, through its SPS program, has
already approved the use of the seal of acceptance in 26 fortified food products (Villavieja et al., 2001).
The Philippine Peanut-CRSP team in 2002 conducted a nationwide survey on peanut butter
consumption patterns of Filipinos (results are published in Monograph Series No. 2). This survey was
conducted to identify new market opportunities for peanuts and peanut products in the Philippines. The
survey included information regarding consumer’s attitudes, behaviors, and concerns regarding vitamin
fortication of foods. Results showed that Filipino consumers were, in general, aware and knowledgeable
about vitamin A and the presence of vitamin A-fortified food products in the market. They were buying
these products and indicated that they would buy vitamin A-fortified peanut butter when this is made
27