scholarly journals Which Choice of Delivery Model(s) Works Best to Deliver Fortified Foods?

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baqir Lalani ◽  
Aurélie Bechoff ◽  
Ben Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Initial Structure ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Fortified Food ◽  
Business Cases

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) occur as a result of insufficient intake of minerals and vitamins that are critical for body growth, physical/mental development, and activity. These deficiencies are particularly prevalent in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs), falling disproportionately on the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the society. Dietary diversity is considered the most effective method in reducing this deficiency but is often a major constraint as most foods rich in micronutrients are also expensive and thereby inaccessible to poorer members of society. In recent years, affordable commodities such as staple foods (e.g., cereals, roots, and tubers) and condiments (e.g., salt and oil) have been targeted as “vehicles” for fortification and biofortification. Despite efforts by many countries to support such initiatives, there have been mixed experiences with delivery and coverage. An important but little understood driver of success and failure for food fortification has been the range of business models and approaches adopted to promote uptake. This review examines the different models used in the delivery of fortified food including complementary foods and biofortified crops. Using a keyword search and pearl growing techniques, the review located 11,897 texts of which 106 were considered relevant. Evidence was found of a range of business forms and models that attempt to optimise uptake, use, and impact of food fortification which are specific to the ‘food vehicle’ and environment. We characterise the current business models and business parameters that drive successful food fortification and we propose an initial structure for understanding different fortification business cases that will offer assistance to future designers and implementors of food fortification programmes.

scholarly journals Examining Heterogeneity of Food Fortification and Biofortification Business Models: Emerging Evidence for a Typology

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1233
Author(s):  
Baqir Lalani ◽  
Rania Hassan ◽  
Ben Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Business Conditions ◽  
Staple Foods ◽  
Measurement Of Success

Efforts to address Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been gaining pace in recent years. Commodities such as staple foods (e.g., cereals, roots, and tubers) and condiments (e.g., salt) have been targeted as ‘vehicles’ for fortification and biofortification through numerous projects and initiatives. To date, there have been mixed experiences with delivery and coverage with very little documented on the range of business models applied in different geographies, business conditions and polities and this makes classification and measurement of success and failure difficult. This research aims to address this gap in knowledge through proposing a typology that clarifies similarities (internal heterogeneity) and differences (external heterogeneity) between models and that can allow all types to be defined by the combination of attributes. Building on a comprehensive literature review; NVivo was used to code initiatives from 34 key references (955 cases in total) which have been grouped into 17 categories. Using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) we find evidence of four business model groupings that typify fortification initiatives: (1) Large-scale private, unregulated, (2) Mixed-Scale, private, unregulated (3) Large-scale, public-private, regulated; and (4) Large-scale, private, regulated. We characterise these four groups with country examples and suggest that this typology can help the discourse around viability of food fortification initiatives.

scholarly journals Large-Scale Food Fortification and Biofortification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of Programs, Trends, Challenges, and Evidence Gaps

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia J. M. Osendarp ◽  
Homero Martinez ◽  
Greg S. Garrett ◽  
Lynnette M. Neufeld ◽  
Luz Maria De-Regil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Food System ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Quality Of Delivery ◽  
And Control ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: Food fortification and biofortification are well-established strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. However, the effectiveness of fortification programs is not only determined by the biological efficacy of the fortified foods but also by effective and sustainable implementation, which requires continual monitoring, quality assurance and control, and corrective measures to ensure high compliance. Objective: To provide an overview of efficacy, effectiveness, economics of food fortification and biofortification, and status of and challenges faced by large-scale food fortification programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Methods: A literature review of PubMed publications in English from 2000 to 2017, as well as gray literature, targeting nongovernmental organizations whose work focuses on this topic, complemented by national reports and a “snowball” process of citation searching. The article describes remaining technical challenges, barriers, and evidence gap and prioritizes recommendations and next steps to further accelerate progress and potential of impact. Results: The review identifies and highlights essential components of successful programs. It also points out issues that determine poor program performance, including lack of adequate monitoring and enforcement and poor compliance with standards by industry. Conclusions: In the last 17 years, large-scale food fortification initiatives have been reaching increasingly larger segments of populations in LMIC. Large-scale food fortification and biofortification should be part of other nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive efforts to prevent and control micronutrient deficiencies. There are remaining technical and food system challenges, especially in relation to improving coverage and quality of delivery and measuring progress of national programs.

scholarly journals Evaluating Moringa Oleifera as a Nutritious and Acceptable Food Fortificant (P10-022-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee Kei Kiki Chan ◽  
G Gurumeenakshi ◽  
N Varadharaju ◽  
Yu-Ling Cheng ◽  
Levente Diosady
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Fortified Food ◽  
Global Engineering ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Objectives Moringa oleifera is an edible tropical plant with the potential to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in low and middle income nations. This study addresses two barriers for the consumption of M. oleifera leaves: (1) inconsistencies between the actual nutritional value and common nutritional claims and (2) its bitterness. It was hypothesized that the reduction of bitterness in M. oleifera-fortified foods would increase their acceptability. Methods The micronutrient content of M. oleifera leaves from India and Nigeria was determined in this study and compiled along with literature values. Data on M. oleifera were compared against spinach and carrot for minerals and carotenoids respectively. The effectiveness of acid soaking and addition of sweetness (aspartame) as debittering treatments was examined using a full factorial design. A sensory evaluation (randomized complete block, 9-point hedonic scale) with 50 assessors examined the preference and bitterness in 7 fortified instant soup mix formulations with varying levels of debittered M. oleifera leaf powder. Results Results of this study do not support nutritional claims asserting that M. oleifera contains 25 times more iron than spinach and 10 times more vitamin A than carrots. M. oleifera contains, at most, 3.4 times more iron than dried spinach. The equivalent vitamin A content in M. oleifera was found to be 55% lower than that in dried carrots. These inconsistencies may be a result of nutritional comparisons made between inequivalent moisture contents, as dried M. oleifera leaves have 18 times more iron than fresh spinach by weight. The control (no fortification) formulation was most preferred, followed by formulations with 50% replacement by M. oleifera. The addition of sweetness significantly reduced bitterness and increased acceptance of fortified soup mix formulations. Conclusions M. oleifera's nutritional content is lower than that asserted by common nutritional claims, but its abundance in food insecure regions and wide range of nutrients maintain its potential as a nutritious food source for populations low and middle income nations. It is recommended that M. oleifera-fortified food products include a sweet excipient to reduce bitterness to increase acceptability. Funding Sources This research was funded by the Centre for Global Engineering (University of Toronto) and Mitacs Canada. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

Linking the Bioavailability of Iron Compounds to the Efficacy of Iron-Fortified Foods

2007 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hurrell
Keyword(s):  
Iron Status ◽  
Target Population ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Iron Fortification ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Iron Compounds ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Fortified Foods ◽  
Fortified Food

The bioavailability (relative bioavailability value; RBV) of iron compounds relative to ferrous sulfate has proven useful in ranking the potential of iron compounds for food fortification. The efficacy of iron-fortified foods however depends on the absolute iron absorption from the fortified food and not on the RBV of the iron compound. Compounds of lower RBV can be used to design efficacious fortified foods by adding them at an appropriately higher level. Efficacy thus depends on the amount of iron added to the food vehicle as well as the daily consumption of the fortified food by the target population, the amount of iron lacking in the diet of the target population in relation to their needs, and the prevalence of widespread infections and other micronutrient deficiencies. The World Health Organization has recently published guidelines for food fortification, which include recommendations for iron fortification compounds and a method of how to define the iron fortification level. The same organization has also published guidelines on the iron status methods to be used to monitor interventions. Recent efficacy studies, which have to a large extent followed these guidelines, have shown good efficacy of iron-fortified salt, fish sauce, wheat flour, and rice in improving the iron status of target populations. However, although we now know how to design an efficacious iron-fortified food, efficacy cannot be ensured in populations with widespread infections and other micronutrient deficiencies. In such situations, other public health measures may be necessary before we can ensure an improvement in iron status.

scholarly journals SWAN platform: A web-based tool to support the development of industrial solid waste reuse business models

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2198941
Author(s):  
Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis ◽  
George Arampatzis ◽  
Tryfonas Pieri ◽  
Konstantina Solomou ◽  
Panagiotis Dedousis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Waste ◽  
Industrial Waste ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Matching Algorithm ◽  
Waste Reuse ◽  
Industrial Solid Waste ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Industrial Unit

The SWAN platform is an integrated suite of online resources and tools for assessing industrial symbiotic opportunities based on solid industrial waste reuse. It has been developed as a digital solid waste reuse platform and is already applied in four countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Cyprus). The SWAN platform integrates a database with the spatial and technical characteristics of industrial solid waste producers and potential consumers, populated with data from these countries. It also incorporates an inventory of commercially implemented best practices on solid industrial waste reuse. The role of the SWAN platform is to facilitate the development of novel business cases. Towards this end, decision support services, based on a suitable matching algorithm, are provided to the registered users, helping them to identify and assess potential novel business models, based on solid waste reuse, either for an individual industrial unit (source/potential receiver of solid waste) or a specific region.

scholarly journals Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Tonia Vassilakou
Keyword(s):  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Childhood Malnutrition ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Major Impediment

Childhood malnutrition of every form, including undernutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight), micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity, consists a triple burden of disease, especially for low- and middle-income countries, and is one of the leading causes of poor health and a major impediment to personal development and achievement of full human potential worldwide [...]

scholarly journals Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1291
Author(s):  
Beatriz Mayor ◽  
Pedro Zorrilla-Miras ◽  
Philippe Le Coent ◽  
Thomas Biffin ◽  
Kieran Dartée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Critical Information ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Floods And Droughts

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being promoted because they can solve different pursued aims together with providing an additional array of multiple ecosystem services or co-benefits. Nevertheless, their implementation is still being curbed by several barriers, for example, a lack of examples, a lack of finance, and a lack of business cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to facilitate the construction of business models and business cases that identify the elements required to capture value. These are necessary to catalyze investments for the implementation of NBS. This article presents a tool called a Natural Assurance Schemes (NAS) canvas and explains how it can be applied to identify business models for NBS strategies providing climate adaptation services, showing an eye-shot summary of critical information to attract funding. The framework is applied in three case studies covering different contexts, scales, and climate-related risks (floods and droughts). Finally, a reflective analysis is done, comparing the tool with other similar approaches while highlighting the differential characteristics that define the usefulness, replicability, and flexibility of the tool for the target users, namely policymakers, developers, scientists, or entrepreneurs aiming to promote and implement NAS and NBS projects.

scholarly journals Net-zero emission vehicles shift and equitable ownership in low-income households and communities: why responsible and circularity business models are essential

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana O. Bonsu
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Zero Emission ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThe UK Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution aims to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Current business models for EV ownership and the transition to net-net zero emissions are not working for households in the lowest income brackets. However, low-income communities bear the brunt of environmental and health illnesses from transport air pollution caused by those living in relatively more affluent areas. Importantly, achieving equitable EV ownership amongst low-and middle-income households and driving policy goals towards environmental injustice of air pollution and net-zero emissions would require responsible and circular business models. Such consumer-focused business models address an EV subscription via low-income household tax rebates, an EV battery value-chain circularity, locally-driven new battery technological development, including EV manufacturing tax rebates and socially innovative mechanisms. This brief communication emphasises that consumer-led business models following net-zero emission vehicles shift and decisions must ensure positive-sum outcomes. And must focus not only on profits and competitiveness but also on people, planet, prosperity and partnership co-benefits.

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