ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The health ministry has procured 64,800 kg of iron and vitamin premix to initiate flour fortification in partnership with Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA).

This quantity of premix would be used to fortify 635,294 tons of wheat flour for consumption which will be available throughout the country without any price increase. NaFeEDTA and Folic Acid premix was imported from Malaysia.

Initially, 50 mills have been recruited for flour fortification. Selection process for next 100 mills has been started. The interested flour mill could become member through the PFMA. A total of 300 flour mills will be taken on board for this three-year project.

The National Wheat Flour Fortification Project Nutrition Wing Ministry of Health has embarked on a new initiative of flour fortification.

An official announcement issued here said the fortified flour will help to provide RDA of iron and folic acid to the community that will promote positive health and prevent iron deficiency anemia.

This project has been initiated keeping in view the phenomenon of increasing proportion of iron deficiency anemia especially in vulnerable groups — women and children.

The daily dietary practices of Pakistani community do not provide them vital micronutrients like iron, folic acid as per RDA.

The ministry of health has formally signed a memorandum of understanding with the PFMA. Under the MoU the flour mills will install necessary machinery for flour fortification while the ministry of health will provide the premix free of cost for one year.