Meeting between RTCCD and Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) was hold at RTCCD office on March 11th. Dr. Scott K. Montgomery, director of FFI and Dr. Becky Tsang, officer of FFI Vietnam shared and discussed about food fortification issues in Vietnam. The presentation focused on food fortification, effects and situations of micronutrients deficiency in Vietnam, rice and wheat consumption, and opportunities and upcoming plans of FFI in Vietnam.
Dr. Scott J. Montgomery said, “Vietnam’s having lots of opportunities in development and research on food fortification. Vietnam, as the second largest rice exporter, has potential opportunity to use rice fortification in preventing micronutrients deficiency, improving and protecting health. It also help upgrade living standard of poor areas not only in Vietnam but also in other regions.”
Dr. Scott J. Montgomery, Director of FFI
In reality, Vietnam has had many experiences in food fortification. Since the early 90s, Vietnam has iodized salt fortification program for preventing goiter disease. In 2008, iron fortified fish sauce, and in 2011 high calcium biscuits appeared in market.
In 2007, National assembly passed Food Safety Law and legalized food fortification program. Therefore, there aren’t any foresee issues on implementing rice fortification in Vietnam. However, firstly we must raise awareness on micronutrients and folic acid deficiencies, and their consequences in Vietnam, not only for public but also for policy makers.
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Dr. Tran Tuan, director of RTCCD also emphasized, “We need advance researches on legal corridor, market, price, customer tastes, etc… RTCCD, with our experiences and credentials in health research and policy advocacy, is willing to collaborate with FFI for opportunities in rice fortification in Vietnam. We strongly believe in our great collaboration in future”.