Cash-starved millers fail flour fortification test

A majority of small-scale millers are unable to meet the requirements of flour fortification as stipulated in the law due to financial constraints, a new study shows.

The survey was conducted by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) and commissioned by Nutrition International to establish nutrient content compliance levels among processors under the United Grain Millers Association (UGMA) who cover over 60 percent of the flour market.

The report showed that of the 68 per cent of millers that fortified their flour, only 28 per cent followed the right procedure in adding the micro-nutrients that are required to make it nutritious.

“Only 68 per cent of the millers fortified their flour while 32 per cent did not. However, of the 68 per cent who fortified, only 28 per cent were found to be doing it correctly,” said Peter Kinyanjui, a member of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Jkuat.

The government issued a directive in 2012 requiring food processors to add basic nutrients in their products to help fight diseases associated with poor nutrition, but full compliance has proven a problem over the years.

The deputy head of nutrition in the Ministry of Health Leila Akinyi said they are working with Jkuat to set up a fortification plant which will be available for use by the small millers.

“Fortification is quite an expensive process especially for the small scale millers. They need support to undertake this requirement,” said Ms Akinyi.

UGMA chairman Ken Nyaga urged the government to crack down on substandard supplements that have seen them book losses.