Food fortification programs are crucial for enhancing public health and addressing micronutrient deficiencies. BioAnalyt actively collaborates with customers like Wilmar to ensure that high-quality, micronutrient-enriched foods reach every household.
Ghana’s food fortification program has been a driving force in improving public health by addressing widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Around 25% of children aged under 5 years are anaemic due to iron and vitamin A deficiencies (1). With sustained efforts and strong collaborations, these initiatives continue to positively impact the health of Ghanaians, and we at BioAnalyt are proud to support this ongoing effort.
The Evolution of Food Fortification in Ghana
Ghana’s food fortification efforts began in 1996, focusing initially on salt iodization to combat iodine deficiencies. At the time, iodine deficiency disorders like goitre were prevalent across the country, causing significant public health concerns. The iodization program, which increased access to iodized salt, benefited over 2 million people, significantly reducing iodine-related health issues (2).
In 2007, the program expanded to include fortification of vegetable oil and wheat flour. This broadened the scope of the initiative to address additional micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A and iron. The vegetable oil fortification program has been a standout success, achieving a 95% adequacy rate in ensuring fortified oils meet the nutritional standards (2).
Spotlight: Wilmar Africa Ltd
One of the key contributors to Ghana’s food fortification journey is Wilmar Africa Ltd a leading global agribusiness group. Wilmar operates across the entire agricultural value chain, from palm oil cultivation to edible oil refining, flour and rice milling, and sugar refining. Recognizing the importance of improving public health, Wilmar Africa Ltd initiated the fortification of palm oil by incorporating vitamin A. The main challenge in fortifying palm oil lies in ensuring that the end product has achieved the desired quality.
Ensuring Quality with iCheck Chroma
At BioAnalyt, we believe that food transparency is important. Supporting fortification programs like Ghana’s, we enable the improvement of nutrition for all consumers. Our products and services catalyse this mission by enabling easy, fast and accurate measurement of micronutrients.
To address the challenges of maintaining quality and measuring vitamin A in palm oil, Wilmar Africa Ltd sought effective solutions. Traditional lab-based methods can be time-consuming, require specialized personnel, and are costly. In response, Wilmar Africa Ltd adopted iCheck Chroma, a portable photometer designed to measure vitamin A levels in edible oils with precision. The iCheck Chroma has proven effective across various oil types, allowing Wilmar Africa Ltd to reduce testing costs and streamline their processes. Comprehensive training provided by BioAnalyt further supported their transition.
Here’s what Akuta Dominic, the QA/QC Supervisor at Wilmar Africa Ltd, had to say about his experience with our product:
“iCheck Chroma is the only device that we have constantly used for more than 10 years and it hasn’t required repair or maintenance“
As a result, they brought fortified vitamin A-enriched palm oil to market faster, reaching most households in Ghana. For over a decade, iCheck Chroma has been a key asset for Wilmar Africa Ltd, and BioAnalyt is committed to enhancing this partnership. We plan to introduce a new line of products designed to maintain quality and accuracy while keeping costs low, continuing to offer innovative solutions to our customers.
BioAnalyt’s Role in Supporting Food Fortification
From oils, salt, sugar, and flour, to a range of other food vehicles, BioAnalyt has been at the forefront of innovation in the food fortification landscape. We work closely with our customers to support the entire value chain—from farm to fork. Our offerings go beyond just our devices. Through training and workshops, we’ve successfully shared knowledge on industry best practices, the importance of fortification, and much more. By simplifying complex testing, our solutions enable customers to improve nutrition more efficiently. Together, with customers across the food industry, BioAnalyt continues to empower the improvement of nutrition through reliable and cost-effective solutions. By ensuring essential nutrients are present in everyday food items, we help ensure a healthier future for everyone.
Would you like to learn more about our products? contact us today at support@bioanalyt.com
Sources:
- https://worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn/article/view/984/788
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/15648265120334S305