Regulation of Fortified Foods to Address Micronutrient Malnutrition
Legislation, Regulations, and Enforcement

Rose Nathan

MI 1999, ISBN 1-894217-10-1
72 pp., paper, 8½" x 11" 

Résumé français à venir 

Laws and regulations provide a government with the legal authority to carry out food fortification as an integral component of its micronutrient deficiency elimination program. Strong laws and regulations prevent food producers and sellers from profiting from inferior (unfortified) products, thereby creating a level playing field. The adoption of appropriate legislation is thus one of the first steps in establishing a national fortification program.

During the early- to mid-1990s, most governments enacted legislation for salt iodization. Some of these governments now wish to address food fortification with other nutrients, particularly vitamin A and iron, and are faced with the prospect of enacting additional legislation. Although countries have different legal systems and law-making requirements, they tend to be remarkably similar in their food laws. This manual is based on composite provisions of food control laws and regulations of many developing countries. It contains principles that most countries should be able to apply to varying degrees in their own situations, whether establishing or amending the regulatory framework for food fortification.

The manual is designed to serve as a guide for governments wishing to ensure that their food laws and regulations contain adequate provisions for food fortification and related activities, such as enforcement. It will also help program managers understand the purpose and critical content of regulatory provisions. And, it will familiarize those drafting the legislation, who might not otherwise have any experience in the area of micronutrient deficiencies, with the national micronutrient program.
 

Contents

Acknowledgments

Author’s Note on Revised Edition

Foreword

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The Role of Law in Furthering Public Health Goals
Principles Underlying Effective Legislation and Regulations
Some Policy Considerations
Some Lessons Learned from Salt Iodization

CHAPTER 2
Key Provisions for Legislation to Authorize or Mandate the Fortification of Food
Trade Considerations: Food Standards and International Trade

CHAPTER 3
Model Legislative Provisions for Fortification

CHAPTER 4
The Role of Regulations
Assessing Iron and Vitamin A Fortification in Regulations
Model Regulations for Food Fortifications

CHAPTER 5
Inspections and Enforcement
The Legislative and Regulatory Framework for
Inspections and Enforcement
Inspections and Enforcement in Practice: establishing Protocols and Procedures to Facilitate Action
Putting the Protocols and Procedures into Practice

Schedule 1: Standards for Iodized Salt

Schedule 2: Standards for Iron Fortified Flour

Schedule 3: Standards for Vitamin A Fortified Sugar

Appendix A: Model Inspection Protocol ad Procedure

Appendix B: Inspection Record (Forms)

Appendix C: Assessing the Adequacy of the Current Law

Glossary

Bibliography