Fortification

SPRING is supporting the rollout of a micronutrient power (MNP) program among children 6-23 months in one pilot district of Uganda. The program, called the Vitamin and Mineral Powder program, promotes "point-of-use" fortification (also known as home fortification in Uganda). Point-of-use fortification with MNPs has shown to be effective in reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia among children. The success of the program depends on the acceptability of and adherence by caregivers to the product and in the integration into complementary feeding behaviors.

At the national level, SPRING/Uganda supports the Government of Uganda to coordinate the implementation of industrial fortification efforts. SPRING/Uganda has revitalized the National Working Group on Food Fortification (NWGFF) and supports NWGFF meetings and activities. SPRING/Uganda also supports trainings to build capacity of the staff from various departments in quality control for food fortification, monitoring, and evaluation, all in support of effective implementation of Uganda’s mandatory fortification regulation that came into effect 1 July 2013.