Food fortification in India: status and road ahead - need for a strategic shift for further scale up

Nutrition is on the centre stage of the National Development Agenda with respect to Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a clear focus on reduction of maternal, infant and young child mortality. The purpose of this report is to assist and build the capacities of the States/UTs for implementing food fortification through inclusion of fortified staples with key micronutrients in their government safety net programmes such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM), and targeted Public Distribution System (PDS). These staples aim to address the public health issues like Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA), Vitamin A Deficiency Disorder (VAD), Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) and the growing concern of Vitamin D Deficiency (VDD).