Equipping Media and Consumer Rights Advocates on Food Fortification

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Extract from the article: From July 25 to 27, 2024, in Lomé, the National Committee for Food Fortification (CNFA) of Togo, in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), organized a capacity-building workshop for journalists, members of the Media Network for Nutrition

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From July 25 to 27, 2024, in Lomé, the National Committee for Food Fortification (CNFA) of Togo, in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), organized a capacity-building workshop for journalists, members of the Media Network for Nutrition and Food Fortification (MNFA), and consumer rights advocates on food fortification. This training aims to equip these stakeholders on food fortification issues to better coordinate large-scale food fortification activities. It is part of the large-scale food fortification project (LSFF).

The objective is to raise participants' awareness of the issue of micronutrient deficiencies, a major public health challenge in Togo. According to Dr. Bouraïma Mouawiyatou, Head of the Nutrition Division at the Ministry of Health, despite progress made in the West African region, micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, remain a significant problem in Togo. More than 70% of children aged 6 to 59 months are anemic, with 25% suffering from mild anemia, 42% from moderate anemia, and 2% from severe anemia. Over 60% of pregnant or breastfeeding women and 48.8% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 years are anemic. Iodine and vitamin A deficiencies also remain concerning; only 31% of households consume adequately iodized salt. Thus, it is necessary to equip the media and civil society on food fortification.

Lucie Amadou, Program Officer at CRS, emphasized the importance of the role of journalists and consumer advocates in raising awareness about food fortification. "Their mission is to inform and educate the public on the benefits of fortified foods and to dispel myths around these products," said Lucie Amadou.

The newly established Media Network for Nutrition and Food Fortification (MNFA) has committed to working alongside policymakers to address the challenges related to micronutrient deficiencies. Basile Mignake, president of the MNFA, reiterated the journalists' commitment to collaborate with the CNFA to ensure sustainable and quality food fortification to control and prevent micronutrient deficiencies.

The CNFA's large-scale food fortification project (LSFF), supported by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), aims to fill potential gaps and ensure sustainable and quality food fortification.

Raymond DZAKPATA