Food Fortification in Asia: Improving Health and Building Economies

Abstract

The opportunity exists to save more than 250,000 lives over the next 10 years in Indonesia, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, Thailand, and Viet Nam by fortifying basic foods with vitamins and minerals. Based on five country investment plans regarding fortification of essential foods with micronutrients, the Investors' Primer synthesizes the core findings of the country plans and an ADB regional technical assistance, and develops the case for improving nutrition of the poor through technology transfer to the Asian food industry. It also provides an overview of the investment opportunities widely available in Asia to reach the poor through micronutrient enrichment of dietary staples.