Why wheat flour fortification matters

#wheat #flour #fortification #matters

LAHORE: Micronomical deficiencies are severely affecting the health of almost all sections of society in Pakistan, especially women and children. Micronutrients play an important role in enhancing immunity, supporting development and promoting academic development.

Iron deficiency Anemia, one of the most famous micronutrient shortages, is important economic implications for Pakistan. Recent reports suggest that anemia costs more than $ 3 billion annually in the country’s life -threatening production capacity and human capital. Beyond anemia, a broader malnutrition spectrum, including other micronutrient deficiencies, imposes even more economic burden. Estimates show that malnutrition costs about $ 17 billion annually on Pakistan, which represents 4.6 percent of the country’s gross national income (GNI).

The firmly of wheat flour iron is an important intervention of public health, which aims to reduce iron deficiency and anemia – conditions that spoil academic development, weaken immunity, and reduce productivity. In Pakistan, more than half of women and children, including iron, are suffering from essential micronutrients.

Despite the implementation of the Food Fortification Program (FFP), anemia in women and children is alarmingly high. Many important factors have hindered progress. Due to weak implementation, many flour mills do not comply with the rules of the castle, and small and medium -sized mills often refrain from participating due to lack of additional costs and privileges. A study by Gain and USAID has revealed that the cost of strengthening 20kg of wheat flour in Pakistan is about Rs 3.5.

However, unmanned flour mills continue to produce unmanned wheat flour, which dominates the market. A significant proportion of Pakistani families eats grazing (dressed in small wheat mills), which is not strong. Many rural families also prefer domestic flour, ignoring fortified powers.

Another challenge is that due to the high -pheotate levels in wheat, the fortified iron is not always absorbed effectively, which prevents iron absorption. The rich in tea, milk and some vegetables are ironic in the traditional Pakistani diet that reduces the optic in the body. Vitamin C increases the problem of eating low amounts of food, which help with iron absorption.

Iron deficiency is not the only cause of anemia – folate, vitamin B12 and zinc deficiencies also play a significant role. Many women and children suffer from numerous micronutrient deficiencies, making iron strength alone inadequate.

Lack of consumer awareness further hinders efforts to strengthen efforts. Many people are unaware of the benefits of casting wheat flour and do not actively find it. Misunderstandings are intact, some of the believers are ‘artificial’ or ‘low nutrition’. Low -income families struggle to withstand diverse, iron -rich foods that will strengthen wheat flour. Meat consumption is low, and relying on plant-based iron sources is easily absorbed by the body-maximum.

The quality of the fort is also insufficient in the flour mills. The government has so far been effectively strengthening or implementing a fortune in the production of wheat flour.

In Pakistan, the price of wheat flour from iron is usually compared to the traditional mill, which is just a slight difference due to shortage of shortage. Although there are minor variations in brands and wheat flour types, the cost difference is minimal, which allows consumers to choose strengthening options without the necessary financial effects while also gaining the benefits of nutritional nutrition.

To tackle this crisis, the government has to ensure that the chakki mills also strengthen the wheat flour, as well as strict implementation and monitoring of the mills to ensure compliance. Public awareness campaigns should inform consumers about the benefits of castle flour. In order to enhance the absorption of iron, it is important to solve dietary habits by promoting iron rich and vitamin C. Connecting the strength of iron with the strength of folate, vitamin B12 and zinc is essential to a comprehensive anemia fighting in the country.