ON FOOD fORTI - DOH Central Library - Department of Health

18
A Report on Food Fortification
IRON-FORTIFIED CHOCOLATE DRINK
Dr. HAILE MEHANSHO
Research Scientist, Procter & Gamble
Miami Valley Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio
Why iron deficiency anemia? Iron
isveryimportantfor the various functions
of our body. And iron deficiency is a
problem all over the world. It affects
the young, the old, the rich and the poor,
industrialized countries as well as the
developingcountries. The only difference
is in the magnitude. It is a serious health
and economic problem. People with
adequate ironstatus, are generally happy,
strong and are energetic. On the other
hand, people who are iron deficient, are
sad, tired and weak.
Industry delivers fortified products
in asustainable manner, because it has
a business goal, to meet consumer needs.
Micronutrient deficiency, is a consumer
need. The fortified product provides for
a very important need of the consumer.
Andserves as a direct link to the industrial
community in delivering the benefits of
the services of non-government
organizations and international agencies
and the development of policies of
government.
Procter & Gamble believes in
providing products to meet the
micronutrient needs of consumers. We
have developed an iron fortification
technology for a chocolate powder that
is primarily marketed in Mexico. By
workingclosely withthe NutritionCenter
of the Philippines and the Department
of Health we have also fortified Star
margarine with vitamin A and we have
products in Europe, United States and
the Arabian Peninsula which are fortified
with multiple vitamins.