title: Lessons learned from national food fortification projects: experiences from Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fortification of staple foods has been repeatedly recommended as an effective approach to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. With the increased number of fortification projects globally, there is a need to share practical lessons learned relating to their implementation and responses to project-related and external challenges.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To document the achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and management responses associated with national fortification projects in Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent end-of-project evaluations conducted for each project served as the primary data source and contain the history of and project activities undertaken for, each fortification project. Other sources, including national policy documents, project reports from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and other stakeholders, industry assessments, and peer-reviewed articles, were used to document the current responses to challenges and future project plans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All projects had key achievements related to the development of fortification standards and the procurement of equipment for participating industry partners. Mandatory fortification of wheat flour was a key success in Morocco and Uzbekistan. Ensuring the quality of fortified foods was a common challenge experienced across the projects, as were shifts in consumption patterns and market structures. Adjustments were made to the projects' design to address the challenges faced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  National fortification projects are dynamic and must be continually modified in response to specific performance issues and broader shifts in market structure and consumption patterns.
authors: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), P.O. Box 55, Geneva 1211, Switzerland. jwirth@gainhealth.org
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Wirth
authors: Arnaud
authors: A
authors: Laillou
authors: Fabian
authors: F
authors: Rohner
authors: Christine A
authors: CA
authors: Northrop-Clewes
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Macdonald
authors: Regina
authors: R
authors: Moench-Pfanner
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D003906:Developing Countries; D005433:Flour / Q000032:analysis; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009018:Morocco; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011786:Quality Control; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry; D014610:Uzbekistan; D014744:Vietnam
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients