RESULTS FROM A COMPLIANCE STUDY OF FOOD FORTIFICATION IN NIGERIA AND IMPLICATIONS ON REGULATORY MONITORING
Larry Umunna1, Francis Aminu1 Olugbenga Ogunmoyela2, Greg Garrett3,Dora Panagides3 Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Abuja, Nigeria
2 College
METHODS
A series of data collection using BioAnalyt (iCheck ExFlouro, Ex-Chroma and Ex-Iron) for the measurement of vitamin A and iron in sugar, vegetable oil and flour pre- and post-intervention. A total of 293 samples were collected from six geopolitical zones. A postintervention data collection was carried out in late 2013. There was no analysis of the iron in cereal flour during the post-intervention study in 2013. The level of micronutrients in samples were compared the standard fortification level in Nigeria and Feasible Fortification Level/Range (FFL) from the 2009 WHO guidelines on Food Fortification (Table 1).
Percentage of vitamin A compliance in flour in 2012 and 2013
Oil
20,000
30
20,000 - 14,000
Flour Iron (mg/Kg)
30,000
25
30,000 - 22,500
15
40.7 - 34.59
RESULTS
Percentage of iron compliance in cereal flour considering 15% loss from 40.7mg/kg
Above the FFL (≥40.7)
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Figure 1
11.6
12.6 8.57
2013 32.6 8.57
43.237.14 Not detectabl e
Percentage of vitamin A compliance in edible oil in 2012 and 2013 2012
Compliance(37.8%)
Figure 2 Percentage of vitamin A compliance in sugar in 2012 and 2013 16.7 21.1
9.5
compliance(26.2% in 2012, 63.2% in 2013)
2013 38.1 36.84
Non compliance(62.2%)
CONCLUSIONS
compliance(24.2% in 2012, Non compliance(75.8% in in 2013) 2012,44.4% in 2013) 54,255.6% %
2012 42.1
Non compliance(89.8% in 2012,50% in 2013)
Figure 4
Overall, there is a significant improvement in the level of compliance in all the fortified food groups after interventions on enforcement and compliance monitoring using the monitoring tool for retail samples. The percentage of vitamin A compliance increased from 2012 to 2013 as follows: edible oil , from 24.2%54.2% (Figure1); sugar, from 26.2%-63.2% (Figure 2); and cereal flour, from 10.2%-55.9% (Figure 3). Only 37.6% of cereal flour samples met minimum levels for iron (Figure 4).
45.7
2.9
Not detectable
40.7
Considering 15% loss (34.59-40.6)
Flour
compliance(10.2% in 2012,50% in 2013)
28.6 Not detectable
25,000 - 17,500
within FFL(29,99922,500iu/kg)
30
2
8.2 5.9
2013 61.2 41.2
Below FFL(0.122,499)
2012
35.7 0 Not detectable
2) To use the results as an advocacy tool to improve compliance and regulatory monitoring.
25,000
Below FFL(0.117,499)
1) To ascertain the levels of compliance with national fortification standards for vitamin A and iron; and
Sugar
Below FFL(0.113,999)
OBJECTIVES
Feasible Fortification Level/Range (FFL)
50
within FFL(24,99 9 - 17,500 iu/kg)
Food fortification with micronutrients has been used as an important strategy to control micronutrient deficiencies in a cost-effective manner. Food fortification initiatives commenced in Nigeria in the midnineties mainly by multi-national companies. Efforts have made to achieve nation-wide consumption of vitamin A-fortified flours, oil, and sugar for at least 50% of the Recommended Daily Allowance. However, ten years later, many of these challenges are still being addressed, including low compliance by industries among others. It became imperative that data were needed to provide information on levels of compliance of vitamin A and iron at factory and markets for wheat flour, maize flour, sugar and vegetable oils which are mandatory vehicles as specified under the Nigerian Food Fortification Programme.
Food Vitamin A (IU/KG)
Losses during distribution & storage (%)
within FFL(19,9 9914,000iu/ kg)
INTRODUCTION
Figure 3 Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS)
Above standard (≥20,00iu/ kg )
Despite mandatory food fortification regulations since 2002, several challenges exist in Nigeria, including low compliance by industry partners and low Government regulatory monitoring .The main objectives of this study were to: 1) ascertain the levels of compliance with national fortification standards for vitamin A and iron; and 2) use the results as an advocacy tool to improve compliance and regulatory monitoring. A series of data collection using BioAnalyt (iCheck Ex-Flouro, ExChroma and Ex-Iron) for the measurement of vitamin A and iron in sugar, vegetable oil and flour pre- and postintervention. The percentage of vitamin A compliance increased from 2012 to 2013 as follows: edible oil , from 24.2%-55.6%; sugar, from 26.2%-63.2%; and cereal flour, from 10.2%-55.9%. Only 37.6% of cereal flour samples met minimum levels for iron. The study and its effective dissemination prompted some remedial actions by NAFDAC including capacity building activities with resultant increase in compliance by industries. This study demonstrates how compliance studies can be used to inform stakeholders of the status of food fortification efforts and help guide programs towards improved health impact.
Table1
Above standard(≥ 25,00iu/kg )
ABSTRACT
Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Geneva, Switzerland
Below 15% consideration level (0.1-34.58)
3 Global
of Food Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Otta, Nigeria
Above standard(≥30 ,00iu/kg)
1
Non compliance(73.8% in 2012,36.8% in 2013)
The outcome of this study revealed that food fortification compliance in Nigeria is low in 2012, then changes were made using the data and it was better in 2013. The study and its effective dissemination prompted remedial action from NAFDAC. Monitoring tools and capacity building activities were revised and are now being implemented. There is no doubt that the results of the study have been used to inform stakeholders of the status of food fortification efforts and help guide programs towards improved health impact. Consequent to the compliance study, the capacity and capability of the regulatory agencies and the industries have been built. Further study is required to assess the impact of the capacity building efforts on the compliance monitoring by the regulatory agencies.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the researchers from the Bells University of Technology, Otta, Nigeria, for conducting the study and writing the reports; and all the reviewers for their support. This poster was produced as part of GAIN’s lessons learned agenda with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Kingdom Department for International Development.