WHO guideline on fortification of edible oils and fats with vitamins A and D for public health

Overview

Vitamin A deficiency remains a leading cause of preventable blindness in children and also increases the risks of severe illness or death from infections. Vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern, particularly in regions with insufficient sunshine or with sun avoidance behaviours that prevent dermal synthesis, and have infrequent access to or intake of dietary sources of vitamin D. This guideline provides clear, evidence-informed global recommendations on the fortification of edible oils and fats with vitamins A and D as a strategy to improve the intake of these vitamins and the nutritional and health status of populations. The recommendations are locally adaptable and grounded in gender, equity and human rights approaches. The focus of this document is on the use of fortification as a public health strategy and not on market-driven fortification of edible oils and fats.

The guideline implementation requires food fortification programmes be designed as part of a comprehensive food-based strategy for combating micronutrient inadequacies and deficiencies while also ensuring an alignment with policies for the reduction of diet-related noncommunicable diseases.

This guideline is intended for a wide audience, including policymakers, expert advisers, and technical and programme staff in ministries and organizations involved in the design, implementation and scale-up of nutrition actions for public health.