TBS Report
11 December, 2024, 02:10 pm
Last modified: 11 December, 2024, 02:14 pm
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), hosted the “2nd International Food Fortification Forum” in Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday(10 December) with support from the Government of Japan and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The event provided a platform for private and public sector leaders to address micronutrient deficiencies, promote best practices, and explore opportunities to scale up food fortification initiatives. Discussions included topics such as scaling up food fortification efforts, agribusiness innovations, and the role of the private sector in integrating essential nutrients into staple foods, reads a press release.
“Bangladesh has made significant progress in achieving food security over the past decade,” said Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
“It’s time to raise the bar and focus on nutrition security through innovative solutions like food fortification,” he added.
IFC has spent over a decade supporting food companies and governments to make fortified, nutritious foods more accessible and affordable. With support from the Gates Foundation, IFC’s advisory programmes are designed to enhance food and nutrition security in Bangladesh, fostering sustainable development and public health improvements.
“Well-designed food fortification initiatives improve health, support human development, and boost productivity. Our mission is to ensure nutritious and safe foods are available and affordable for everyone, especially the most vulnerable,” Dr. Rudaba Khondker, GAIN Country Director for Bangladesh, said emphasizing the importance of collaboration
Japan also reaffirmed its commitment to global food security. “We are actively engaged in supporting the economic development and international stability of developing countries through multilateral institutions like IFC,” said Shinju Karasawa, First Secretary and Head of Economic Cooperation at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.
“Fortifying commonly consumed food such as rice, wheat, flour, salt, a health, drive economic growth, and secure a better life, better business communities,” said Aditya Jagati, Senior Programme Officer, Nutrition, Globa Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Bangladesh has been identified as a priority country for IFC’s nutrition initiatives due to its significant potential to improve public health through targeted nutrition strategies. The 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey highlighted the impact of addressing micronutrient deficiencies, particularly for children under five and women of reproductive age, making food fortification an essential tool for advancing nutrition security and long-term well-being.
