Even though most people think about protein as the nutrient that makes us feel full and gives us energy, micronutrients can also have an important role in satiety and even provide us with the energy we need to get through the day. Micronutrient-fortified foods are those that have had their nutritional profile enhanced to include vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients that are beneficial to our health but lacking in the average diet.
Micronutrient-fortified food helps to prevent chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease by increasing the intake of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that may otherwise be lacking in the diet. There are many micronutrients that play a role in maintaining healthy body weight and blood sugar levels, such as vitamins C and B6, folic acid, zinc, and magnesium. For health reasons, we need to take in certain essential vitamins and minerals every day and if we fail to do so, it can lead to various health issues later on.
Deficiencies in one or more micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin. A are widespread in low- and middle-income countries and compromise the physical and cognitive capacity of millions of people. Food fortification is a cost-effective strategy with demonstrated health, economic and social benefits.
Despite ongoing debates globally and in some countries regarding the performance and safety of food fortification, the practice offers significant benefits across each of the main vehicles for food fortification (large-scale food fortification, bio fortification and point-of-use or home fortification) ranging from reducing the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and economic benefits to societies and economies.
Micronutrient deficiencies are due primarily to inadequate intake of nutrient dense foods and nutrient losses due to poor diets, infections and blood loss during menstruation (women of reproductive age). Metabolic requirements for micronutrients are especially high during early development, pregnancy and lactation.
Numerous country-level studies on the impact of food fortification on micronutrient status have shown very positive results. For example, in Indonesia, a study conducted in two districts of West Java assessed the effects of large-scale fortification on the vitamin A status of women and children and found that fortified oil increased vitamin A intake close to the recommended nutrient intakes, contributing on average 26% of daily need for children aged 12 to 23 months, 38–40% among older children, and 29–35% for women.
Fortified Food Market size is estimated at $172.4 Million in 2020, projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2021-2026. Fortified Foods are foods that possess nutrients supplemented to them that are not organically present in them.
These foods are aimed at enhancing nutrition and supplement health advantages. For example, milk is frequently fortified with vitamin D and calcium could be supplemented to fruit juice extracts.
The rising appreciation around keeping up an ailment-free and a healthful way of life is driving the fortified foods market worldwide. Fortified foods supply additional microelements are inclusive of significant trace elements and diverse vitamins. An enhanced food implies that nutrients which disappeared at the time of processing are supplemented. Further, various refined grains are enhanced such as wheat flour could be supplemented back with folic acid, riboflavin and iron after processing. This is targeted at bringing back its authentic vitamin levels.
Key Players
· Hindustan Foods Ltd.
· Natureland Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.
