Food fortification can be defined as a process of improving food nutritional quality by adding essential vitamins and minerals, helping to prevent nutrient deficiencies on a large scale.
It is a known fact that Nigeria has the highest malnourished children in Africa and second to India globally. These worrying realities are not unconnected to poor food quality that lacks important micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamins, and folate that are necessary for growth and development. It was based on this that Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) organised A-Two-Day Workshop for manufacturers on “Food Fortification Requirements” in Jos, North Central Nigeria, Peoples Daily Ochiaka Ugwu captured the event.
Experts have said that food fortification and enrichment are vital means to tackle nutritional deficiencies, upscale nutrition and improve human health by adding vital vitamins, minerals to commonly consumed foods. This no doubt was the main reason SON embarked on this workshop which started with visitations to Plateau State ministries of Health, Commerce & Industry to seek support and synergy for more sensitization.
Speaking during the visits to Plateau State Ministries of Health, Commerce & Industry, to herald the beginning of the programme, Director General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke represented by Regional Director North Central zone, Princess Dr. Marlin Waziri who emphasized that SON share a lot in common with both ministries in improving nutrition and strengthening food fortification efforts, noted the visits were about partnership and deepening cooperation with the aim of effectively embarking on food fortification in line with National Policy on Food and Nutrition.
Responding, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas D. Baamlong who appreciated SON for choosing Plateau as one of the pilot states for the fortification programme said the state has been looking forward for such given its importance to humanity.
His words, “What you brought is what we have been looking forward to. I want to appreciate SON for choosing Plateau for this important activity. We have strived here in Plateau to see how we can cover the food crisis.
“Plateau State will buy into the SON food fortification initiative. In the Ministry of Health, we have digital health officer who coordinates the activities. Joint monitoring, sharing data and public enlightenment are very vital as there is every need to inform the public on the need for food fortification.
“Essential minerals are good for growth. I am happy that Plateau is among the few states selected for this programme. I can tell you that it is in order” he noted.
Speaking in his office, Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mohammed Salihu Nyalum who described the visit as timely said the Ministry has been interacting and collaborating with SON.
He informed that SON’s proactive engagements with SMEs have made it possible for the state to have more than 40 SMEs that engage in locally produced foods with SON registration.
While assuring of the Ministry’s necessary cooperation to ensure that the desired aim of the project is achieved, he pledged that the initiative will be owned and domesticated in the state.
“Your visit is timely, in the sense that we have been having interaction and collaboration with SON office in Jos. Our SMEs have been having engagement with SON and we are proud to say that we have more than 40 SMEs that engage in locally produced foods with SON registration. It is not unconnected with constant collaboration with SON.
“Plateau is endowed with variety of foods which led to spring up of many industries and SON has been playing immense role to make sure that they thrive in terms of maintaining standard. I am happy with the new initiative of food fortification. The Deputy Governor has directed that each ministry should have a nutrition focal person to coordinate activity such as this.
“Of particular interest, is that you are not only fortifying alone, but digital fortification which is a welcome idea. It is a global event and we are grateful that you chose Plateau for the pilot scheme. We are not going to take it for granted. Plateau has varieties of food and we are ever ready to leverage on this advantage to boost food production. We are not only going to collaborate with you on this, we are going to own it and ensure that it succeeds.
“SON has been supporting our SMEs in strengthening their product. It has gone a long way to improve the economy of the state. We are not taking nutrition and food aggregation for granted. We have to make things go the right way. I want to assure on behalf the Ministry of all necessary cooperation to ensure that the desired aim of the project is achieved” he stated.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of Commitment forms by both Plateau State government and SON with the two Commissioners signing on behalf of Plateau State Government and Princess Dr. Waziri signing for SON.
Speaking on Sensitization 1, titled: “Good Premix Handling Practices for Effective Food Fortification at Factory Level” during the workshop, Assistant Director, North Central Region of SON, Dr. Daniel Walong Datok noted that good premix handling practices were core intervention that determines the success or failure of food fortification programs, insisting that without them, even well-designed fortification strategies may fail to deliver nutritional impacts.
Datok informed that the use of premix to improve the nutritional quality of commonly consumed foods and reduce micronutrient deficiencies at the population level constitutes a key intervention throughout food fortification.
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer at the SON Headquarters, Abuja, Mrs. Ladi Anyam, speaking on “Improving Food Fortification Compliance with Standards at the Food Factory Level” stated that LSFF refers to the process whereby one or more essential micronutrients were deliberately added to staple foods or condiments during processing to improve their micronutrient composition.
Anyam revealed that LSFF was a nutrition-specific intervention that was typically initiated, mandated and regulated by governments to prevent micronutrient deficiencies, especially in vulnerable populations.
SON State Coordinator for Plateau, Engr. Kenneth Shawo informed manufacturers that the event reflects their shared commitment to improving the nutritional qualities of foods and strengthening of compliance with national fortification standards.
He noted that fortification compliance was not only about adding premix, but doing it accurately, consistently and verifiably.
Unit Head of Food & Agriculture of SON, Plateau State Office, Mrs. Eunice Edi who spoke on Sensitization 2, titled: “The Role of Manufacturers in Addressing Malnutrition Through Food Fortification” said the paper was focused on strengthening the capacity of manufacturers to effectively use food standards and regulatory tools to combat malnutrition and improve public health outcomes in Nigeria.
She tasked manufactures on adherence to fortification standards, Source Quality Premix – from certified and reputable suppliers, Accurate fortification process, Quality control & Testing, GMP – provide adequate storage condition.
While appreciating SON for organizing the workshop and noting that food fortification was a vital requirement for products, some of the manufacturers have this to say:
Nwachukwu Emeka, Production Manager of Benybite Foods, Jos said he has gotten more knowledge on food fortification and enrichment from the workshop.
He urged that the regulatory agencies should be cooperative instead of competitive in their activities.
Ola Awolowo, Hub Lead of SUN Business Network in North Central Region said the workshop was geared towards sensitizing manufactures around requirement to food standardization and to support everyone who was into processing.
He said the knowledge gained from the workshop will enable manufacturers do the needful in food fortification with the aim of reducing malnutrition.
Chief Executive of Three Prince Nig Ltd, Joshua Oladosu Ajadi who was into Acha and maize processing said he has been acquainted with new method and techniques of fortification which he believes if applied effectively would upscale nutrition.
Director of Simtong Rice, Simon Tongs who is in the business of rice processing which includes teaching women and youth how to steam rice without parboiling to retain most of the nutrients, noted the workshop would go a long way in shaping methods of processing their products for better nutrition enhancement.
Bukata Darma, a rice farmer said he was at the workshop to gain impactful knowledge that would enable him to fortify and add more nutrient to his products, noting that they would certainly do the fortification after the workshop to help in upgrading good nutrition in the society.
Compliance Manager of NASCO Foods, Musa Makus who said that fortification has been a critical component to their business noted the workshop would encourage them to do more not just to comply to regulations and standards, but due to its concern to health and wellbeing of the populace.
He stated that fortification to them was to meet up with daily requirement for proper growth and development.
He informed that most of their products have been fortified as a means of adding value to the consumers.
However, the participants were in agreement that leveraging sustainable practices, advanced technologies and policy support, that the food fortification initiative by SON will improve dietary quality, address micronutrient deficiencies, upscale nutrition and encourage wellbeing of Nigerians while maintaining affordability, consumer acceptance and satisfaction.
