A worldwide shift to combat hidden hunger needs to be launched by processing food in a way that micronutrient shortages are adequately addressed. Micronutrients can be mixed with staple foods like rice, oil, wheat, or maize flour, as well as condiments like salt, for a very low cost, said experts in a recent webinar.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), hidden hunger occurs when the quality of food people eat does not meet their nutrient requirements, so the food is deficient in micronutrients such as the vitamins and minerals that they need for their growth and development. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin A and iodine are the most common around the world, particularly in children and pregnant women.
Two billion people suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies, said the panel in the webinar organized by Hexagon Nutrition and ASSOCHAM. Food fortification is a low-cost breakthrough with long-term social and economic benefits. As part of broader national efforts to combat chronic undernutrition, food fortification is one of the most cost-effective and reliable investment opportunities, said the experts.
According to Vivek Chandra, CEO, LT Foods and Co-Chair, National Food Processing Council, ASSOCHAM, the current Indian food plate normally does not deliver the required amount of nutrients and micronutrients. "The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau also has time and again proved that apart from cereals and millets, the Indian households fail to have the desired amounts of Recommended Dietary Allowance. As per ICDS, the strategies adopted to address malnutrition and hidden hunger are nutrition and health education, dietary diversification, and micronutrient supplementation.
Also Read:Zinc:Requirements, Deficiency, Benefits And Food Sources
Food fortification is seen as a viable, scientifically proven, WHO-approved, and cost-effective strategy to address the problem of malnutrition."The status of malnutrition in India, nutrition awareness, changing lifestyles, increased costs of hospitalisation, and FSSAI Food Fortification regulations are some of the demand drivers for Nutraceuticals in India. There is a significant shift from buying nutraceutical products for specific health issues such as osteoporosis, arthritis, hypertension to immunity building nutraceuticals.
Changing consumer behavior in the country is also transforming the nutraceutical space. The inclusion of exercise, diet, use of over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements is becoming a way of life and people have become more conscious of their wellness and preventive care," Vikram Kelkar, Group Managing Director, Hexagon Nutrition said.