A review of the need for biofortified foods to combat malnutrition

Abstract

Urbanization has led to increased consumption of industrially produced foods, including in developing countries. Many countries are now addressing micronutrient malnutrition through the use of fortified foods, reaching a larger portion of their population. Poverty has an impact on populations that are essentially deficient in adequate micronutrients. Therefore, it is common practice to include multiple forms of micronutrients. It is often possible to fortify foods with micronutrients. In most cases, adding one or more micronutrients to foods does not significantly increase the cost. In most cases, if the technology is available and the distribution system is appropriate, reinforcement is more cost-effective than other strategies. By consuming fortified foods regularly and frequently, dietary supplements will be more effective in maintaining nutrient reserves than taking supplements intermittently. Adding nutrients to food helps reduce the incidence of undernutrition problems, as well as problems caused by seasonal fluctuations in food supply and bad habits. This will benefit children and pregnant women who need adequate nutrient stores during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as pregnant women who need a steady supply of micronutrients for growth and development. Fortification is beneficial for postpartum women and their babies because it raises the vitamin content in breast milk and reduces their nutritional needs. Fortification of widely consumed and widely distributed foods not only improves the nutritional status of large segments of the population, but also serves other purposes. This review is intended to highlight the importance of using fortified foods to effectively combat malnutrition.