Addressing inequities in access to fortified sunflower oil - Costs of small, medium large-scale fortification in Tanzania

INTRODUCTION Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is attributed with 157,000 child deaths (6-59 months) globally each year (1). In Tanzania, VAD is considered a severe public health problem responsible for a high burden of the child mortality and morbidity. The Tanzania DHS 2010 estimated that the rate of VAD is 38% in children (2). Hunger, lack of food diversity, limited consumption of vitamin-A rich foods and poverty are main determinants of VAD. In Tanzania, Vitamin A is found naturally in some foods but consumption is less than optimal. In Manyara and Shinyanga, Only 51% and 85% children (6-23 months) consumed vitamin-A rich in the past 24 hours respectively (3). 37% and 27% of children (6-59 months) received A supplement in the 6 months prior (i.e. Aug. 2015-Feb. 2016) to survey in Manyara and Shinyanga (3). Fortifying staple foods with vitamins can be an effective vehicle for improving dietary consumption of deficient micronutrients but is often limited to foods produced through large food manufacturers, which are not accessible to poorer and rural households.