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Biofortification is the development of nutrient-dense staple crops using the conventional breeding practices.

Nutrition Challenge / Labeling Challenge

Demonstrate the ability of biofortified crops to

have an impact on the nutritional and health

status of the target population

Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia

Tokyo, Nov. 5-9, 2012

Global prevalence of

micronutrient deficiencies

This map details worldwide severity of the most common micronutrient deficiencies—vitamin A,

anemia, and zinc—using World Health Organization (WHO) children under 5 prevalence data. This

does not include prevalence of iodine. Severity was coded using a 3-point weighting system based

on levels of public health significance cut-offs (low, moderate, and high)

Common micronutrient deficiencies and

associated health issues Micronutrient Health issues associated with deficiency

Vitamin A Blindness

Impaired immune system defenses

Reduced fetal development

Increased child mortality

Increased maternal mortality

Iron Iron deficiency anemia (IDA)

Reduced cognitive capability

Reduced physical capacity and productivity

Increased maternal mortality

Complications with childbirth and increased risk of low

birth weight

Increased infant mortality

Zinc Decreased resistance to infectious diseases

Stunting and impaired growth in children

Complications with pregnancy and childbirth

Theodore Tulchinsky, “Micronutrient Deficiency Conditions: Global Health Issues”,

http://www.publichealthreviews.eu/upload/pdf_files/7/13_Micronutrient.pdf

Approaches to fighting micronutrient malnutrition

Dietary diversity

Agronomic biofortification

Conventional biofortification

Nutrient retention

Commercial fortification

Transgenic biofortification

Approach Description Type of Program

Conventional breeding of new varieties of crops that contain micronutrients within the seed

Encouraging consumption of different types of food to increase micronutrient intake

Altering processing/cooking techniques to retain high nutrient levels at point of consumption

Adding powdered fortificants to food during processing

Distributing vitamin supplements to people suffering from micronutrient malnutrition

• Conventional breeding programs • Seed development and

dissemination

• Education/awareness• HH level diversification• Increasing food intake

• HH level preservation techniques• Improving nat’l food

infrastructure and handling

• Government mandate• Voluntary adoption by food co’s

• Point of care programs (clinics)• School based programs

Food-based approaches

Non-food-based

approaches

Supplementation

Distributing medicines to control parasitic infections (worms, etc.) that deplete nutrients in the body

• Point of care programs (clinics)• School based programs

Public health interventions

Altering soil to increase the level of nutrients that will be absorbed by crops growing in the area

• Agronomic training• Enriched fertilizer• Soil nutrient additives

Transgenic breeding of new varieties of crops that contain micronutrients within the seed

• Transgenic breeding programs • Seed development and

dissemination

Bonnie McClafferty & Yassir Islam. Fighting the Hidden Hunger.

Feb 2008

Supplementation Commercial Fortification

Biofortification

Dietary Diversity

http://www.HARVESTPLUS.ORG

BIOFORTICATION

http://www.HARVESTPLUS.ORG

http://www.HARVESTPLUS.ORG

http://www.HARVESTPLUS.ORG

http://www.HARVESTPLUS.ORG

CODEX COMMITTEE ON

NUTRITION AND FOODS FOR

SPECIAL DIETARY USE

CRD#1

"Proposal to develop a discussion paper on the biofortification of staple food crops with essential vitamins and minerals by conventional breeding” in French, Spanish, and English for the December Session of the CCNFSDU.

CCNFSDU put the document as a CRD on their event page (https://www.ccnfsdu.de/index.php?id=685).

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD

LABELLING

Committee agreed that IFPRI could develop a Discussion Paper on the” labelling of foods using crops produced through Biofortification of Crops by Natural Selection”

Changed to :” Conventional Breeding”