Vitamin C Fortification of Food Aid Commodities Final Report (1997) / Chapter Skim
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6 Conclusions and Recommendations
6 Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 53-62
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From page 53... ...
provision of sufficient amounts of vitamin C to prevent scurvy in populations that are not currently deficient but are dependent to some degree on donated food commodities. The provision of sufficient amounts of vitamin C for other physiological purposes, such as maintenance of saturated tissue levels of ascorbic acid and enhancement of immune responses, was considered.
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From page 54... ...
adopted a policy of providing fortified blended foods to populations wholly dependent on food aid, in an effort to preempt any micronutrient deficiencies. One outbreak occurred among Rwandan refugees in eastern Zaire in the spring of 1994 prior to the time at which the newly adopted food aid plan could be implemented.
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From page 55... ...
For situations in which the population is expected to be displaced for a long period, local food production might also be encouraged by providing seeds, tools, and appropriate training for establishing home or community gardens. Vitamin C-Fortif ed Rations If food commodities are adequately fortified with vitamin C and the vitamin is not destroyed during shipping, storage, or cooking, these rations should be adequate to prevent scurvy.
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From page 56... ...
Addition of Vitamin C-Containing Foods to Ration Packages Another approach is to provide fresh or processed food sources of vitamin C as a component of the ration package. Examples might include locally purchased fresh fruit or vegetables or imported packaged items such as tomato paste, enriched powdered fruit drinks, and sour candies.
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From page 57... ...
Even if total food aid funding were increased, the same tradeoff would exist in relation to the most effective use of increased funds. Furthermore, the results of SUSTAIN's survey of five of the seven plants producing CSB or WSB raise serious questions about the capability of these manufacturers to meet specified fortification levels.
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From page 58... ...
In addition, although iron deficiency appears to be a much more widespread problem in emergency and development feeding situations, the use of higher levels of vitamin C fortification to enhance iron absorption is not a costeffective method of improving iron status. More cost-effective strategies would target populations at risk of vitamin C deficiency by providing vitamin C-containing foods as part of the emergency ration package; supplying a larger ration size of blended, fortified foods; ensuring access to local markets; or for long-term situations, encouraging local food production.
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From page 59... ...
Risk factors for vitamin C deficiency and scurvy should be monitored at the community and/or camp level. Some of the risk factors that have been identified as potentially useful for such monitoring include: populations totally dependent on food aid (e.g., displaced and famine-affected populations tCDC, 19923~; duration of stay in a refugee camp (Toole, 1994~; seasonality: dry season and inability to cultivate (Desenclos et al., 1989; Henry and Seaman, 1992~; market failure, limited local supplies of fresh produce, or lack of resources to trade for other food sources (Mayan et al., 1983; Toole, 1992~; poor acceptance of donated foods, especially blended fortified foods, resulting from cultural preferences, (Mason et al., 1992; Toole, 1992~; and difficult access for relief organizations because of war or remoteness (Mason et al., 1996~.
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From page 60... ...
Ascertain the incidence of scurvy in displaced populations and analyze this according to the amount of blended, fortified foods received. The incidence of scurvy among those receiving blended foods at currently prescribed levels will permit assessment of the need to increase fortification or seek alternative approaches.
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From page 61... ...
The limited data available on cooking losses using the current ethyl cellulosecoated product indicates a need to develop other vitamin C products that are more stable to heating in dilute solutions.
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