ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research
Abstract
In seeking to improve the micronutrient contents of a food supplement
used in a major community-based nutrition project in Bangladesh,
operations research was conducted to compare the provision of needed
micronutrients through additional food sources (fresh or dried fruits
or vegetables), a micronutrient multi-mix, and a combination of the
two. Micronutrient gaps (the difference between micronutrient
requirements and actual micronutrient intake) were estimated for four
groups of project beneficiaries, with target intakes defined as
requirements for iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin,
niacin, and vitamin B12 recommended by the Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health Organization. Primary focus was placed on
iron and vitamin A. Cost and bulk constraint analyses, based on cost of
supplement, feasibility of delivery, and serving volume needed to
achieve micronutrient targets, were used for comparing the supplement
options. In terms of these analyses, the micronutrient multi-mix
proved, by far, to be the most advantageous. Food options, however, are
arguably desirable in that they provide dietary benefits additional to
that of known micronutrients and may increase demand to boost
production of domestic fruits and vegetables for the population as a
whole. The study concludes that it is cost-effective to use powdered
micronutrient mixes for such specific purposes as enrichment of
supplementary food and food fortification, but encourages production
and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods through programme messages
and activities