Importance and benefits of Food Fortification

Usually, people do misunderstand the concepts such as food fortification and adulteration. To make it clear, fortification and adulteration are two different terms. Any FBO can take up both the activities and work either for the benefit of the consumer or hamper their health.

Food Fortification

This is an activity taken up by Food Business Operators to ensure the same quantity of food provides the right amount of nutrients to fill the gaps of nutrient deficiency. Food fortification is a simple process wherein nutrients are added to improve the deficiency of a product. Be it any food product, if it lacks nutrition, it is not approved for consumption.

Food Adulteration

Food adulteration is a different concept wherein the original product is adulterated with other contaminants, making the food unsafe for consumption. Adulteration is usually done to foodstuffs such as milk, grains, mustard seeds, tea leaves, coffee, etc. There are a few tests that food testing laboratories in India conduct to help the FBO know whether the food ingredients used in a product are adulterated or not.

Nutrient Deficiency

In 2011-2012, a certain percent of the Indian population is below the poverty line and faces the issue of nutrition deficiency. Also, due to such instances, malnutrition has become a common problem experienced by the population. The unavailability of food, improper or lack of nutrition is experienced by the citizens. However, to help the malnourished people, food fortification was introduced. Whenever a food product is fortified, certain parameters are followed to adhere to the norms.

Which products are majorly fortified?

When it comes to food fortification, every consumable product cannot be fortified. The Food Fortification Resource Centre with FSSAI has taken an objective to promote food fortification on a larger scale. The food that is fortified consists ‘+F’ logo to create awareness amongst the consumer. Usually, staple food such as wheat flour, rice, milk, edible oil, and salt are fortified. People have thousands of questions about how is it fortified, what is added, and doesn’t hamper health?

• Rice and Wheat flour are fortified with vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron.
• Edible oil and milk are fortified with vitamin D and A.
• Salt is fortified with iodine and iron.

Why does FBO consider Food Fortification?

Any food product that is fortified needs to provide certain nutritional value to the consumer. There are certain benefits of fortifying a food product such as

• The process of food fortification is cost-effective
• Even though the fortification is initiated, the original taste, appearance, and texture remain unchanged.
• Improves the nutritional value of a food

In India currently, there is a need to focus on food fortification. This allows the consumers to get more at the same or less price. The fortification process slowly but steadily is helping to tackle the problem of nutrition. Food Fortification is an initiative taken by FSSAI to reach the manufacturers and provide the consumers with food that is nutritional and safe for consumption.

Equinox is a leading Fssai Approved & Nabl Accredited Food, Water & Air Testing Lab with 16+ years of experience. With a Pan-India presence, we are also Industry Leaders in Food Safety Auditing and FoSTaC Training.