Egypt launches national flour fortification programme to combat anaemia

EGYPT – The Egyptian Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade (MOSIT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), the National Nutrition Institute (NNI), and with support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has officially launched the National Flour Fortification Programme.

This initiative aims to address iron deficiency anaemia by enriching subsidized wheat flour, used for baking traditional ‘Baladi’ bread, with essential micronutrients, specifically iron and folic acid.

The programme comes as a strategic response to alarming anaemia rates in Egypt, particularly among children and women of reproductive age.

According to findings from the 2021 Population Research Report by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, anaemia rates have risen across all age groups, with 43% of children under five affected.

The nutritional specifications of the fortification mix were developed and endorsed by the NNI after a thorough assessment of Egypt’s dietary needs and malnutrition trends.

Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the nutritional quality of subsidized bread, which is a staple food for millions of Egyptians.

“This programme is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the food subsidy system and ensure its efficiency. Providing subsidized bread is not just about affordability, it is about improving nutritional value and enhancing the health of our citizens. A healthier population contributes to a more productive society,” said Dr. Farouk.

He also highlighted that this initiative aligns with other national projects, such as bolstering the strategic stock of essential food commodities, modernizing storage and milling infrastructure, and leveraging technology to improve production and distribution efficiency.

Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, praised the programme as a crucial step toward reducing nutrition-related diseases.

“Anaemia remains one of Egypt’s most pressing public health concerns. The fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid is an essential intervention to address this challenge, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and women,” stated Dr. Abdel Ghaffar.

He appreciated the contributions of all partners involved in this initiative, as it represents a major step toward improving public health and reducing the economic burden of malnutrition.

International Support to drive the initiative  

Initial funding from the German Government has secured sufficient quantities of the fortification premix for the programme’s first phase.

WFP has played a critical role in this initiative by facilitating the training of over 600 millers who operate flour mills across Egypt. Through this collaborative effort, fortified subsidized bread will be distributed through public bakeries in 13 governorates with the highest anaemia prevalence rates.

Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP Egypt Representative and Country Director, underscored the initiative’s significance in advancing food security and sustainable development goals.

“The launch of the National Flour Fortification Programme is a milestone in Egypt’s commitment to nutrition and public health. WFP is proud to support this initiative, which translates Egypt’s national food and nutrition strategy into tangible action, said de Margerie.

He added that addressing iron deficiency anaemia is a crucial step toward achieving Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Sahar Khairy, Director of the National Nutrition Institute, emphasized the urgency of addressing iron deficiency anaemia, which is primarily caused by inadequate dietary iron intake.

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