69. The Delegation of Thailand reported micronutrient malnutrition problems, specifically iodine, iron and vitamin A deficiencies in Asia. The Delegation emphasized the importance of food fortification in tackling the problems and possible role of the Commission in establishing science-based harmonized standards for fortified foods. The Delegation proposed the elaboration of standards for fortified foods.
70. The Representative of FAO informed the Committee of recently held workshops and meetings on micronutrient malnutrition which was a serious problem in the Region. FAO had been promoting “food-based” approaches as the most sustainable efforts for prevention and control followed by fortification of foodstuffs for maintaining the levels of nutrients, and vitamins and minerals therapy for curative purposes. He stressed that these approaches should be supplemented by nutrition education. He reported on the FAO projects relating to prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition currently under way in countries in the Region; Bhutan and Viet Nam.
71. The Representatives of WHO informed the Committee of ongoing fortification projects in the Region. Universal salt iodization now covered most countries in the Region. Fortification of flour with iron and folate, and fortification of vegetable oils with vitamin A are also under way in some countries. The importance of quality control and monitoring of adequate salt iodization at all levels were also stressed. The Representative of WHO provided update statistics (1996-1997) on people at risk of, or affected by iodine, iron and vitamin A deficiencies.
72. The Observer from ILSI reported on a 2 day FAO/WHO/ILSI/Philippines Southeast Asian workshop held in Manila in November 1996, the proceedings of which were available.
73. The Committee noted that Codex had already established the Standard for Food Grade Salt[24] which contains the provisions for fortification with minerals and vitamins. The Representative of WHO stated that WHO had collaborated with the CCNFSDU in its revision by providing documentation on safe levels of iodization and iodine compounds to be used. The Committee further noted that the Executive Committee had discussed this issue at its 43rd Session and had expressed the opinion that decisions on fortification rested primarily with national governments and that decisions sometimes needed to be taken at even more local levels and that Codex had a relatively limited role to play in this area. However, it was suggested that the Codex General Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods were seen as a valuable guidance for fortification and the Codex Guidelines on Nutrition Claims[25] would help to encourage fortification in cases where it was needed.
74. The Committee decided to propose the inclusion of a reference to the fortification of iodine, iron and vitamin A in the Table of Conditions for Claims for Nutrient Contents and the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition Claims, but not to propose new standards. The Committee commended Thailand for preparing this informative paper and requested Thailand to take a lead in the initiative to collect data and information, including reference values. The Committee thanked FAO and WHO for their assistance in this area.
