Global Data Visualizations

Whether a country has applicable protocols available to guide external and import monitoring of fortified foods.

In a well-functioning fortification system, the production or importation of fortified foods should be monitored (audited and inspected) by the relevant regulatory authorities, such as food control inspectors. The monitoring is to verify that foods are fortified according to fortification standards. This monitoring is usually and ideally integrated into food control systems. Protocols (similar to Standard Operating Procedures or procedural instructions) to carry out fortification monitoring activities should exist to guide inspectors in their audit and inspection activities. Protocols allow for consistency and help make sure that inspections are not missing key details. Protocols for monitoring fortification might be part of more general documents that guide food inspection; it is not expected that countries would have stand-alone documents only for monitoring fortified foods.

This interactive map shows whether a country with mandatory fortification for a specific food vehicle has an external and/or import monitoring protocol in place for monitoring fortification of that food vehicle. An external monitoring protocol is used for monitoring fortification at domestic production facilities, while an import monitoring protocol is used for monitoring fortification at importation sites.

The presence of a monitoring protocol indicates that a country has specified procedures to carry out external and/or import monitoring of food fortification. Lack of an external and/or import monitoring protocol, may have implications for the implementation of fortification monitoring and enforcement. However, GFDx recognizes that it may not be applicable for all countries to have both external and import monitoring protocols. For example, if a country does not produce a specific food vehicle, then an external monitoring protocol will not be applicable. Similarly, if the food vehicle is not imported into a country, then an import monitoring protocol will not be applicable. Assumptions regarding domestic food production or importation were made using FAO Food Balance sheet data for the most recent year. GFDx has taken this into consideration when classifying countries as follow:

• All applicable protocols: GFDx can confirm the presence of all regulatory monitoring protocols that are relevant for the country. Hover over the country or see the Table tab to see which protocols are relevant for that country.
• Import monitoring protocol missing: According to FAO Food Balance sheets, the food vehicle is imported and thus an import monitoring protocol would be relevant for this country; however, GFDx cannot confirm that one has been developed and is available.
• External monitoring protocol missing: According to FAO Food Balance sheets, the food vehicle is produced domestically and thus an external monitoring protocol would be relevant for this country; however, GFDx cannot confirm that one has been developed and is available.
• Both import and external protocols missing: According to FAO Food Balance sheets, the food vehicle is both produced domestically and imported; thus both import and external monitoring protocols are relevant for this country; however, GFDx cannot confirm that either is available.

Follow these steps to download data from the visualization as an Excel or CSV file:

• Click on the “Data” tab at the bottom of the visualization window.
• Hover over the header row of the table until an ellipses (three dots […]) appears.
• Click on “more options” and a drop-down menu will appear. Select “Export data.”
• In the new window, select the export format that best supports your needs and click the “Export” button.

• This visualization only reflects GFDx’s ability to confirm the presence of monitoring protocols. Monitoring protocols are often internal procedural documents and may be less easily shared or openly available compared to policy or legislation documents. If you know that a country described as “No” or “Unknown” by GFDx does in fact have a monitoring protocol for external monitoring or import monitoring, please contact us at info@fortificationdata.org.
• GFDx assumes that monitoring protocols received from survey respondents are the most up-to-date documents, and when updated, that the new documents will be shared with GFDx in future survey cycles.
• GFDx makes assumptions based on FAO Food Balance Sheet data regarding the applicability of external or import monitoring protocols for a given country. If the FAO Food Balance Sheet data is not accurate, then GFDx may have inappropriately classified a protocol as “applicable” or “not applicable” in a country.

GFDx populates its database through a bi-annual survey, aiming to reach 196 countries. In between survey cycles, the GFDx database is updated when new information is received directly from fortification partners and/or national stakeholders. To share data for your country, please contact us at info@fortificationdata.org.

For more information about GFDx methodology and indicators: GFDx Data Dictionary.

• The source is the author, name and publication information of the country-specific document.
• Country classifications of income status and geographic region are from the World Bank and the United Nations, respectively.

Regulatory monitoring of National Food Fortification Programs: A Policy Guidance Document (available in English, Spanish, French, and Russian).

Global Fortification Data Exchange. Map: Availability of external and import monitoring protocols. Accessed dd/month/yyyy. [http://www.fortificationdata.org.]