[pronut-hiv] Zambia: The Case of Vitamin A Fortification of Sugar (3)

["Ted Greiner" <tedgreiner@yahoo.com>]

Response to article in The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

ANALYSIS
June 7, 2006
Davis Mataka
  ______________________
  It is hard to believe that a real newspaper published this quirky and inarticulate letter and surprising that someone on this list respected it enough to post it. The only message seems to be that we ought to be free not to eat fortified foods if we want to. The author even implies that they may be some kind of plot to kill all Africans. 
   
  In fact, food fortification has been around for many decades, is proven safe, and there are public health nutrition problems that can be solved in no other way, including iodine deficiency (iodized salt is the solution of choice in most settings) and neural tube defects. Half or more of these deady birth defects can be prevented by folic acid fortification of staple foods, something that is mandated by law in several countries in North and South America. Interestingly, many European countries have attempted to obtain the benefit by promoting pre-pregnancy use of folic acid supplements, but so far all have failed. Staple food fortification with iron is also in place in many countries and being considered in others, as the most cost effective way to reduce iron defiency, perhaps the most widespread health problem in the world. 
   
  In contrast to staple foods, fortification of sugar is sometimes criticized due to the risk that fortification might lead some consumers to increase their consumption of this rather useless food--as we all know, a source of empty calories and thus something we all should eat in moderation. In addition, sugar can be eaten at very high levels, thus risking excess intake of fortificants, particularly in young children, whereas this is highly unlikely with salt or staple foods. The author of this article does not seem to have rational concerns however!
   
  Ted Greiner
  PATH
  Washington DC