HKI Announces the Launch of Food Fortification in Côte d’Ivoire.

En français

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, February 27th, 2008, - Helen Keller International (HKI) in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health for Côte d’Ivoire and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) announces the official national launch of fortification of cooking oil and wheat flour with essential life-saving vitamins and minerals in Côte d’Ivoire. The State Ministry of Mines and Energy, representing President Laurent Gbagbo, and other high-ranking officials launched the initiative which represents the country’s commitment to fighting the devastating effects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies (VMDs)which plague more than two billion people worldwide.

VMDs result in serious health problems, including blindness, delayed mental development, impaired resistance to infectious diseases and premature death. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to VMDs. VMDs weaken communities and the country and result in a loss of potential and productivity which contribute to poverty. VMDs are responsible for 10% of the world’s global health burden.

Working with the profession association of cooking oil producers in the eight-nation Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (AIFO-UEMOA), HKI engaged the public-private sector in dialogues on fortifying commonly consumed staples and condiments beginning in 2005. With financial support from GAIN, HKI aims to improve the nutritional statute of the population by reducting VMDs through strengthening structures already in place. Since cooking oil and wheat flour are staples in many traditional meals, fortifying them has the potential to provide 50% of the daily vitamin A needs and 30% of iron and folic acid.

The private sector, the producers of wheat flour ( Les Grands Moulins d’Abidjan) and vegetable oil (Unilever, Cosmivoire, Trituraf, United Oil Company) are key partners in these efforts. HKI will work closely with them to provide training, training manuals, equipment, and support for a legal framework to guarantee quality controls. To improve compliance and acceptance of the products, HKI will also help implement an intensive marketing campaign that includes public health messages to promote the consumption of fortified foods.

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Learn more about HKI's programs in Côte d’Ivoire.