National Seminar on Food Fortification to Combat Anaemia and Other Micronutrient Deficiencies

Inauguration of Monograph

Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required by the human body in very small quantities for proper growth, development, and functioning. Unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, they do not provide energy but play a vital role in metabolism, immunity, and cellular repair. Broadly, micronutrients are of two main types — vitamins and minerals.

 

Micronutrient deficiency, often referred to as “hidden hunger,” occurs when the intake or absorption of essential vitamins and minerals is insufficient to maintain good health. Even individuals consuming adequate or high-calorie diets may suffer from these deficiencies if their diet lacks nutritional diversity.

 

Address by CMO-DOFCS&CA

India, as a developing nation, faces the triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. The primary causes include poor dietary diversity (heavy dependence on cereals), poverty and food insecurity, inadequate public health and sanitation, socio-cultural practices, and limited nutritional awareness. The major micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in India include Iron Deficiency (Anaemia), Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), Zinc Deficiency, and Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency.

Address by Dy.Commissioner-FDA

To address these challenges, the Government of India has implemented several national programs such as the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI), National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), Vitamin A Supplementation Programme, Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), and various Food Fortification Programs.

In alignment with these national efforts, different departments of the Government of Uttarakhand have undertaken specific initiatives. To reduce the prevalence of anaemia, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies launched a Rice Fortification Program on a pilot basis in 2021, which was subsequently scaled up to all districts in 2022.

 

Address by Unit Head, UNWFP

To supplement these efforts and raise awareness on food fortification, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)—as part of the Technical Support Unit (TSU)—in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), organized a National Seminar on Food Fortification. The TSU team coordinated with various stakeholders, including academicians, researchers, students, technical experts, and government officials from agencies such as FCI and FSSAI, to participate in the event.

The seminar featured discussions on the fortification of staple foods such as rice, wheat, salt, oil, and milk, as well as other food items like fruits and vegetables, highlighting both the advantages and challenges of fortification. The program concluded with poster and oral presentations by students and researchers, followed by a formal vote of thanks delivered by the TSU team.

Team engaged in organization of the National Conferenece