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Mr Sifelani Jabangwe

Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) says it will continue lobbying the Government to address the challenges that will face some industries in implementing food fortification.

Last week, Cabinet approved the food fortification programme.

The Government has announced the need to implement food fortification on selected items in order to prevent and control                    micro-nutrient deficiency disorders in consumers.

CZI president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe told Business Chronicle last week that following the announcement to implement food fortification in the production of certain food items, there has been lack of common understanding between the specific industrial sectors and Government.

“There has to be a common understanding between certain industries that manufacture food items the Government has identified need to be fortified.

“As CZI, we are trying to see how best we can work with Government in the implementation of the fortification programme by selected industries.

“There are some hiccups that have been highlighted by industry regarding the implementation of the food fortification programme, so as CZI we will soon lobby the Government to ensure that certain issues are ironed out,” he said.

Industry has identified funding challenges to procure equipment and chemicals needed in implementing the food fortification process.

For example, the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe has said local millers need about $20 million to implement food fortification.

Last week, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe announced that mandatory food fortification would be implemented through selected food vehicles such as vegetable oils, sugar, wheat, flour and commercially milled maize meal.

The programme is being spearheaded by Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Food fortification is not new in Zimbabwe as the country has been fortifying salt with iodine since 1999 to fight goitre.

Findings of the Zimbabwe National Micronutrient Survey of 2012 regarding the nutritional status of women and children below the age of five years prompted the Government to take action.

The survey revealed that 25 percent of children in the age group six to 69 months were stunted; 72 percent of the same age group had iron deficiency while 31 percent were anaemic.

Also 24 percent of women in the child bearing age of 15-49 years were found to be vitamin A deficient while 62 percent were iron deficient. — @okazunga