Global Data Visualizations
Nutrient levels in fortification standards
The nutrient level specified for the food vehicle at the point of production/import, as indicated in fortification standards.
Interpretation
Fortification standards indicate the micronutrients and the forms and levels of these micronutrients that must be added to fortification vehicles at the production level if the food is fortified.
This visualization presents information on the particular nutrient levels required, extracted from fortification standards. The range for the required/allowed nutrient level of the selected indicators is shown on the left, while the color of individual countries indicates where their levels fall within the range. Additional information is available by hovering over a specific country, including the year of the fortification standard, allowed compounds, the exact wording from the fortification standard, and the full reference for the fortification standard.
Nutrient levels in fortification standards may be presented as a minimum, range, or a “target average.” If the fortification standard specifies a range, for visualization purposes GFDx has presented the mid-point of that range. Hover over a country on the map to view the exact text from the country’s fortification standard.
Ideally, when fortification standards were developed, the following information should have been taken into consideration:
- Will the fortification levels result in nutrient intake that contributes to dietary requirements?
- To help answer this question, GFDx has estimated the potential nutrient intake as a result of fortification.
- Are fortification levels in line with existing World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations or guidelines (if available)?
- WHO recommendations/guidelines are available for maize flour, salt, and wheat flour. GFDx has compared these recommendations/guidelines to a country’s specified fortification levels.
- Are the nutrient compounds specified appropriate (e.g., are they bioavailable?), at the country’s expected food intake level? For example, iron compounds with low bioavailability, such as electrolytic iron, should only be used where intake of wheat flour is expected to be above 150 grams per capita per day (WHO 2009 Flour Fortification Recommendations).
- WHO recommendations/guidelines are available for maize flour, salt, and wheat flour. GFDx has compared these recommendations/guidelines to a country’s specified nutrient compounds.
Indicator and term descriptions
Mandatory fortification: The country has legal documentation that has the effect of currently mandating fortification of the food vehicle in question with one or more vitamins or minerals i.e. the documentation indicates that fortification of all or some of the food is compulsory or required.
Voluntary fortification: The country has a fortification standard that provides guidance on levels and nutrient compounds for fortification but does not have the effect of mandating or requiring fortification. If a country has mandatory fortification for that food vehicle, it will be categorized by GFDx as not having voluntary fortification, even if some types of the food vehicle or some nutrients may be fortified on a voluntary basis.
Fortification standard: Legal or official documentation indicating the micronutrients and the forms and levels of these micronutrients that must be added to fortification vehicles at the production level. Fortification standards are generally indicated in national food fortification legislation or regulations and/or food standards for the food vehicle.
Nutrient levels: The level of each nutrient expressed in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) that is listed in the current fortification standard at the point of production / import for the food vehicle in question.
Nutrient compound: The chemical form of a nutrient. The compound(s) which are permitted to be used in fortification (at the point of production / import), as specified in a country’s current food standard.
Additional information about this indicator
How to download data
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.
Considerations
- Fortification standards (nutrient levels and compounds) are typically indicated in the national standard for that food or fortification regulations. Food standards may include many other details that define the food’s quality other than fortification specifications (e.g., contaminants, testing requirements). For that reason, the term fortification standard is not technically accurate, as it does not refer to a separate food standard just for fortification specifications. However, GFDx recognizes that the term “fortification standards” is commonly to refer to fortification specifications that are included in food standards.
- GFDx only includes information on fortification standards if GFDx has a copy of the official document. If your country has a fortification standard that is not reflected in the GFDx, please contact us at info@fortificationdata.org.
Methodology
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.
Data sources
- The source is the author, name and publication information of the country-specific document. Use the “download” link to view all data and original sources.
- Country classifications of income status and geographic region are from the World Bank and United Nations, respectively.
Other resources
Suggested citation
Global Fortification Data Exchange. Map: Nutrient levels in fortification standards. Accessed dd/month/yyyy. [http://www.fortificationdata.org.]