Fortification of atta with vitamins and minerals

Atta will be fortified by adding nominally standard amounts of commercially produced vitamins and minerals (e.g., iron, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin) and research will be conducted to define more clearly the amounts and types of fortificants to be used in the future. The Government of Pakistan (GOP) will implement the project. The project will, over a 3-year period, equip Pakistan"s 100 largest roller flour mills for atta fortification by providing feeder and auxiliary equipment and by training local mill personnel to operate the equipment, resulting in an annual production rate of 1 million tons of fortified atta by the project"s end. Fortification of atta (to be monitored by the GOP) and distribution of fortified atta will take place as soon as the mills are equipped. Prior to project initiation, the GOP will initiate a national nutrition survey to determine the per capita intake of ration shop atta and consumer nutritional status. Immediately upon project approval, clinical tests will be conducted to assess the impact of using fortified atta to overcome iron and vitamin B deficiencies. Results of these early research efforts will be used, along with data from Project 3910394, to reassess the levels and types of fortificants to be added to atta. A publicity campaign will be directed toward reassuring consumers of the product"s wholesomeness and beneficial effects. Storage tests will confirm the product"s stability in Pakistan"s climate, and the feasibility of establishing local facilities to premix imported vitamins and minerals will be studied. In the project"s third year, studies will be made of the effectiveness of fortification in overcoming nutritional deficiencies, consumer reaction to fortified atta, and the effectiveness of the publicity campaign. As a result of these studies and actual project experience, the GOP will make a regulatory decision regarding the requirements for fortification of atta in all of the country"s roller flour mills with over 20 tons per day capacity.