INDUSTRY is not ready for the addition of key vitamins and minerals in commonly consumed foods.
BY BUSINESS REPORTER
Under Statutory Instrument 120 of 2016, the Food and Food Standard (Fortifications) Regulations, which will be effected by July next year, vitamins and minerals will be added to foods to address the problem of micronutrient deficiencies in the population.
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, Vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc required by the body in small amounts to function properly.
Statutory Instrument 120 of 2016 was gazetted this year.
Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Tafadzwa Musarara said, at a meeting on fortifications in Harare last week, that there were several concerns that included the unexpected costs of the process and lack of awareness.
He said there should be aggressive campaigns and an incentive should be put in place with the removal of duty on fortificants.
“As Africans, anything that is alien we will reject it. So there is need for explanation on issues to do with side effects if mis-applied,” Musarara said.
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“In some countries, the fortification process is jointly funded by partners and grants from government, but locally, industry is required to fund it 100% as well as training.”
Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa said the government would be looking into business’ concerns on fortifications, but was adamant that there was adequate time for them to conform to the requirements.
“There is need for the enforcement of the framework for this worthwhile exercise,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf, Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha said the public health approach would increase company productivity and open up new markets.
The process will also stem importation of substandard products and level the playing field, he said.
Zimbabwe needs fortifications because 19% of children are Vitamin A deficient, 72% are iron deficient and 31% are anemic.
Twenty-two percent of women of child bearing age are Vitamin A deficient, while 25% of women from rural areas are affected while 18% are urban women.
The country is currently preparing to fortify sugar with Vitamin A, cooking oil with Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 folic acid, iron and zinc.
