The FoodFortificationProgram is the governments response to the growing micronutrient malnutrition, which has been prevalent in the Philippines for the past several years. Republic Act 8976, An Act Establishing the Philippine Food Fortification Program and for other purposes mandating fortification of flour, oil and sugar with Vitamin A and flour and rice with iron by November 7, 2004 and promoting voluntary fortification through the SPSP, Signed into law on November 7, 2000 There are 139 processed food products with SangkapPinoySeal with 83% with vitamin A, 29% with iron and 14% with iodine (2008) 37% of the products are snack foods Most of the products FDA analyzed are within the standard Based on 2003 NNS Households awareness of SPS- and FF-products is 11% and 14%, respectively, in 2008 awareness is 11.6% Although awareness is low, usage of SPS-products is 99.2% Food fortification is the addition of Sangkap Pinoy or Micronutrient such as vitamin a, iron and iodine to food, whether or not they are normally contained in the food, for the purposes of preventing or correcting demonstrated deficiency with one or more nutrients in the population or specific population groups. Sangkap Pinoy nutrients or micronutrients are vitamins and minerals required by the body in very small quantities. These are essential in maintaining a strong, healthy, and active body and a sharp mind; and, for women, to bear healthy children. [stextbox id="info"]November 7 is Food Fortification Day[/stextbox] Objectives of the Food Fortification Program1. To provide the basis for the need for a food fortification program in the Philippines: The Micronutrient Malnutrition Problem2. To discuss various types of food fortification strategies3. To provide an update on the current situation of food fortification in the Philippines

Vitamin A, Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and its Consequences >Vitamin A- an essential nutrient as retinol needed by the body for normal sight, growth, reproduction and immune competence >Vitamin A deficiency- a condition characterized by depleted liver stores & low blood levels of vitamin A due to prolonged insufficient dietary intake of vit. A followed by poor absorption or utilization of vit. A in the body >VAD affects childrens proper growth, resistance to infection, and chances of survival (23 to 35% increased child mortality), severe deficiency results to blindness, night blindness and bitots spot

Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency: 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 (DOST FNRI, NNS) Physiological State 1993 1998 2003 2008 6 months 5 yrs. 35.3 38.0 40.1 15.2 Pregnant 16.4 22.2 17.5 9.5 Lactating 16.4 16.5 20.1 6.4 WHO Cut off Point to be considered a public health problem = >15%

Iron and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and its consequences >Iron- an essential mineral and is part of hemoglobin, the red protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells >Iron Deficiency Anemia- condition where there is lack of iron in the body resulting to low hemoglobin concentration of the blood >IDA results in premature delivery, increased maternal mortality, reduce ability to fight infection and transmittable diseases and low productivity

Iodine and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) >Iodine-a mineral and a component of the thyroid hormones >Thyroid hormones- needed for the brain and nervous system to develop & function normally >Iodine Deficiency Disordersrefers to a group of clinical entities caused by inadequacy of dietary iodine for the thyroid hormone resulting into various condition e.g. goiter, cretinism, mental retardation, loss of IQ points

Progress in the Philippines towards the Elimination of IDD, 1998-2008 Indicator Goal* Achievements 1998 2003 2008 Proportion of Households using Iodized Salt, % >90 9.7 56.0 81.1 Median Urinary Iodine, ug/L 6-12 yrs. 100-200 71 201 132 Lactating Women 100-200 - 111 81 Pregnant Women 150-249 - 142 105 Proportion < 50g/L, % < 20 6-12 yrs. 35.8 11.4 19.7 Lactating Women - 23.7 34.0 Pregnant Women - 18.0 25.8 *ICC-IDD 2007

Read more at Nurseslabs.com Food Fortification Programhttp://nurseslabs.com/food-fortification-program/