Fascinating post, Lauren. I mean, if Americans were anti-fortification, I'd say that's driven by our general individualistic nature and reluctance to have big government impose on us. It's surprising that Europe which regulates what size tomatoes must be would be resistant to such a clear win in pre-natal health. I wonder if part of it is due to the cultural reluctance to anything artificial in food--the "natural is good" presumption which so often is actually not the case!
(Chooses to ignore Europe and talk about Uganda) Most mothers don't come to us in Uganda for antenatal care until 3 months which is super sad, missing the important timing.
Worth noting that although legislation is there in many low-income countries., often its just not followed. Here in Northern Uganda I would say 90% plus mothers get no fortification in their daily food. Even outside the main millers (who often don't fortify), most people are just grinding their own maize and obviously not adding the folate.
It seems this isn't cost-effective enough for a Charity Entrepreneurship or similar to do a "fortify health" style NGO projects on, which is a bit sad because they might be a decent option to support millers at least to fortify.
Yes, strongly agree that fortification is a good buy everywhere. It’s just a hilariously good buy in Europe, where 1) most of the easy public health wins have already been done, 2) there’s definitely the state capacity to make sure the regulation is enforced.
Fascinating post, Lauren. I mean, if Americans were anti-fortification, I'd say that's driven by our general individualistic nature and reluctance to have big government impose on us. It's surprising that Europe which regulates what size tomatoes must be would be resistant to such a clear win in pre-natal health. I wonder if part of it is due to the cultural reluctance to anything artificial in food--the "natural is good" presumption which so often is actually not the case!
Love this, super important.
(Chooses to ignore Europe and talk about Uganda) Most mothers don't come to us in Uganda for antenatal care until 3 months which is super sad, missing the important timing.
Worth noting that although legislation is there in many low-income countries., often its just not followed. Here in Northern Uganda I would say 90% plus mothers get no fortification in their daily food. Even outside the main millers (who often don't fortify), most people are just grinding their own maize and obviously not adding the folate.
https://spring-nutrition.org/publications/reports/state-maize-flour-fortification-uganda
It seems this isn't cost-effective enough for a Charity Entrepreneurship or similar to do a "fortify health" style NGO projects on, which is a bit sad because they might be a decent option to support millers at least to fortify.
Yes, strongly agree that fortification is a good buy everywhere. It’s just a hilariously good buy in Europe, where 1) most of the easy public health wins have already been done, 2) there’s definitely the state capacity to make sure the regulation is enforced.