Evaluation of the Population Coverage of Mandatory Vitamin A Fortified Vegetable Oil in Burkina Faso.

Objectives: To help control vitamin A deficiency, Burkina Faso has established mandatory fortification of vegetable oil with vitamin A. The objective of this research is to evaluate the coverage of vitamin A fortified oil in the country. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative survey involving 1285 households from rural and urban settings of Burkina Faso was conducted along with vitamin A analysis of household vegetable oil samples. Results: Knowledge of vegetable oil being fortified with vitamin A among parents of children under the age of five years was low: 37% in urban areas and 23% in rural areas. Laboratory analysis showed that 99% of household vegetable oil samples were fortified with vitamin A, compared to less than 8% of samples at the start of food fortification in 2008. Among the samples analyzed, 98% from urban areas and 95% from rural areas met the national standard for vitamin A content. These results correlate with industry and government statistics indicating that 87% of oil - both locally produced and imported - sold on the market in Burkina Faso is fortified with vitamin A. Conclusions: The results showed a significant improvement in population coverage of vitamin A fortified vegetable oil in both rural and urban settings following the launch of a fortification program. The levels of vitamin A in vegetable oil samples comply with national standards and indicate that control of locally produced and imported oil is helping to ensure adequate fortification levels.

Implementing Large-scale Food Fortification in Tanzania: Lessons Learned.

Objectives: The main objective is to identify achievements, challenges and lessons learned in implementing large scale food fortification in Tanzania for the benefit of other countries attempting to initiate national mandatory fortification of staple foods Methods: Lessons learned were drawn from fortification program documents and interviews with fortification stakeholders. The lessons learned cover the key components of fortification programs, including production, distribution, quality control and enforcement, standards setting, legislation, social marketing and communication, monitoring and evaluation. A food rapid assessment tool (FRAT) survey was conducted to determine appropriate staple food vehicles for fortification. Results: The FRAT survey identified wheat flour, maize meal, and vegetable oil as appropriate fortification vehicles. It was estimated that 23 million could be reached with both fortified vegetable oil and wheat flour. Political will and commitment especially at highest level of leadership was critical in engendering support for fortification from both the public and private sector. Furthermore, establishment of a local premix distribution hub in Tanzania has ensured regular availability of premix. Importantly, Tanzania exonerated the purchase of premix from taxes, a model for east Africa. Conclusions: Through mandatory legislation and enabling political environment Tanzania has successfully launched and scaled up fortification of vegetable oil and wheat flour.