Fortification of sugar with vitamin A in Central America and Panama

THUS, IN 1969 A RESEARCH PROGRAM WAS BEGUN TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF FORTIFYING WHITE SUGAR WITH VITAMIN A. THE RESEARCH DEMONSTRATED THE FEASIBILITY OF THE FORTIFICATION CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY. FORTIFICATION DID NOT AFFECT THE TASTE AND ODOR OF THE FORTIFIED SUGAR, NOR THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL STABILITY OF VITAMIN A IN THE PROCESSED PRODUCT. A MEETING OF INCAP STAFF WAS HELD WITH OFFICIALS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF GUATEMALA IN AUGUST 1973, TO DISCUSS WHETHER FORTIFICATION IS NECESSARY, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND SAFE. THE CONCLUSIONS WERE: UNDER PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN GUATEMALA, FORTIFICATION IS NECESSARY. FORTIFICATION WITH VITAMIN A IN THE FORM OF RETINOL PALMITATE IS EFFECTIVE, AND THE EXPECTED RATIO OF COSTS TO BENEFITS IS HIGHLY FAVORABLE IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER MASSIVE PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS. IT COSTS ABOUT $.03 PER YEAR PER CAPITA. FORTIFICATION OF SUGAR DOES NOT POSE ANY TOXICITY RISK. THE STUDY GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT, AT A MINIMUM, THE GOVERNMENT INITIATE A PROGRAM TO SUPPLY FORTIFIED SUGAR TO RURAL CHILDREN AGED ONE TO NINE AT A LEVEL ADJUSTED TO DAILY INTAKE RECOMMENDED BY FAO/WHO.