Infopoint Seminar on Food Fortification
The Food Fortification Advisory Service (2FAS) recently organised a public Infopoint seminar on food fortification in Brussels. 2FAS is managed by Landell Mills and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) with EU funding.
The Infopoint seminar was moderated by Mr Berbard Rey, Deputy Head of DEVCO Unit C1 - Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition. Three speakers gave presentations at the event which highlighted the advantages and complexities surrounding the implementation of bio-fortification, rice and flour fortification, and the fortification of complimentary foods. The process of food fortification is an important component within the food value chain, and a preventative public health intervention which addresses the issue of micronutrient deficiencies among populations. The speakers were Paulus Verschuren from Harvest Plus, Anna Verster from Smarter Futures and Saul Morris from GAIN.
It was a very successful event with around 60 people in attendance, including students and practitioners from public and private institutions. Food fortification experts were given the opportunity to inform others, and provide insights into food fortification within an international development context. The Infopoint seminar precedes a three day nutrition seminar which will take place in Brussels in March. 2FAS will be giving presentations, as well as organising working groups and collecting feedback from 23 EU Delegations in order to guide 2FAS's activities for 2018-19.
2FAS is a four-year service to the EU. It aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities related to food fortification in beneficiary countries. Landell Mills is contracted by the European Commission, as part of a consortium with GAIN, to contribute to the European Commission's commitment to improving nutrition. An estimated two billion people are suffering from micronutrient deficiencies globally. Those with diets consisting mainly of staple foods, such as wheat and rice, are most affected.
Read more about The Food Fortification Advisory Service (2FAS) here.
