Introduction

The case study titled “Harnessing market forces to combat anaemia through rice fortification in Peru” examines Peru’s innovative strategy to address anaemia through fortified rice. Anaemia remains a major public health issue in the country; in 2021, 38.8% of children under three and 18.8% of women of reproductive age were affected. Poor diet quality and insufficient iron intake are key contributing factors, negatively affecting child development and adult productivity.

Review of the Study

In many countries, large-scale food fortification begins with mandatory legislation requiring industries to fortify staple foods. In Peru, however, a different approach was implemented. With support from the World Food Programme (WFP), the government first created demand for fortified rice by including it in large social assistance programs that reach millions of vulnerable citizens.

The private sector was then encouraged to expand production to meet this new demand. Within less than four years, over 150 rice millers were certified to produce fortified rice and by 2022 more than 3 million people had access to fortified rice through social programs. This success ultimately led to the adoption of a mandatory rice fortification law in 2021.

Micronutrient Composition of Fortified Rice

Fortified rice in Peru contains several essential micronutrients including vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron and zinc. These nutrients are delivered by blending fortified rice kernels with regular rice at a ratio of approximately 1–3 percent.

Importance for Fortified Rice Consumption

Rice is one of the most widely consumed staple foods in Peru. On average, people consume about 173 grams of rice per person per day and 83% of the population eats rice daily. This makes rice an effective vehicle for delivering essential micronutrients at a population level.

The Peruvian experience demonstrates that combining social policy, private sector engagement and international support can accelerate the adoption of food fortification programs.

VITO’s Approach

VITO focuses on developing scientifically designed fortification solutions using highly bioavailable micronutrients while maintaining food quality and consumer acceptance. Using staple foods such as rice as carriers of essential nutrients can significantly improve population nutrition.

Conclusion

The Peru case study shows that creating demand through social protection programs can stimulate market supply and increase production capacity in the private sector. This approach ultimately paved the way for national legislation mandating rice fortification. Such experiences provide valuable lessons for countries seeking to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.

Reference

World Food Programme (WFP).
Harnessing market forces to combat anaemia through rice fortification in Peru. 2022.

Article link