The delay in securing parliamentary approval for a Legislative Instrument (LI) on food fortification to correct the iron and vitamin A deficiencies affecting mostly women and children is hampering the complete take-off of the Food Fortification project. The LI, which is yet to be presented to parliament has been seen by Cabinet and when approved would give a legal backing to the fortification of wheat flour with iron, folic acid, zinc, Niacin, vitamins B1, B2 whilst vegetable oils would be fortified with vitamin A. Mr Emmanuel Paa Nii Quaye, Programme Manager of the project, addressing a day's workshop on the food fortification project said whilst awaiting parliamentary approval, the Minister of health would be coming out with a public directory to ensure that all wheat flour and vegetable oils especially commercially produced ones be fortified. The workshop organized by the consumer Association of Ghana in collaboration the Fortification project was attended by NGOS, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and consumer advocates. Mr. Quaye noted that industry was fortifying at 100 per cent compliance for wheat flour whilst Unilever had upgraded its level of Vitamin A fortification in vegetable to the recommended standard. The three-year project, which is under the auspices of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and the Ghana Standard Board (GSB), is funded by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr Quaye explained that the objective was to reduce anaemia among children aged two to five years from 76 per cent to 41 per cent by 2009, anaemia among women of reproductive age from 41 per cent to 20 per cent by 2009, Vitamin A deficiency among children of two to five years from 72 per cent to 43 per cent and Vitamin A deficiency in reproductive age from its current level by 30 percent of all by 2009. He noted that laboratory staff of FDB and enforcement officers have been trained, whilst the necessary equipment have been purchased for the implementation of the project. Giving an overview of the health status of the nation in relation to micronutrients deficiencies, Mrs. Kate Quashie of the Nutrition Department of the GHS said demographic and health surveys conducted in the country indicated a high prevalence of anaemia, among women and children, with pregnant women accounting for 65 per cent, 76 per cent for pre-school children and 41 per cent for women of child bearing age. It also accounted for 20 per cent of maternal deaths. She noted that in the case of Vitamin A, which was used in fortifying vegetable oil, current data indicated that about 72 per cent of the country's under-five population were affected by Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), contributing to one in three deaths of children between the ages of six and 59 months. She urged Ghanaians to always look out for a food fortification logo on cooking oils when buying and always eat nutritionally adequate meals. Mrs Quashie reiterated the need for Ghanaians to consume variety of foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of legumes, nuts and oil seeds daily with some animal products. Dr. Ferdinand Tay, President of the Consumers Association of Ghana commended Ghana government for the bold decision appealed for effective communication between manufacturers and consumers on any decision taken with regards to food. He urged consumers to always exercise their rights and ensure that their demands were met. Source: GNA