Fortification Focus: Experts Emphasize Nutritional Enrichment to Curb Healthcare Costs
The increasing healthcare expenses in Bangladesh are being attributed to widespread deficiencies in micronutrients, driven largely by monotonous dietary habits. Experts are advocating for greater attention to genetically modified (GM) food production and food fortification as essential solutions. They emphasized that food is a fundamental pillar of health, and by prioritizing food engineering, both healthcare costs can be reduced and the overall national health standard improved.
These issues were highlighted during a seminar titled “The Need for Food Fortification and Its Role in Combating Micronutrient Deficiency-Related Malnutrition,” held on Tuesday (May 13) evening at the headquarters of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka. The event was organized by the Agricultural Engineering Division of the IEB.
Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), Chairman of RAJUK and President of IEB, attended the seminar as the chief guest. Thanking all participants, he said, “The topic of today’s seminar is extremely relevant in the present context. Through food fortification, the nutritional quality of food can be preserved. In our country, we already fortify salt, rice, and edible oil.”
Speaking as a special guest, retired Professor of Food Engineering and Technology at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Engr. Dr. M. Borhan Uddin, stated, “Vitamin D is synthesized through sunlight, while other vitamins are obtained from food. When we lack food, we feel hunger, but when we lack vitamins, we don’t notice until disease sets in. Repetitive consumption of the same type of food fails to meet vitamin needs. We must diversify our diets. Although there is a monitoring cell for iodine in salt, there are no such mechanisms for other essential foods like rice and oil.”
IEB Vice-President Engr. Sheikh Al Amin said, “The IEB is Bangladesh’s oldest and only national professional institution for engineers. It operates through centers, sub-centers, divisions, and overseas chapters. The seminars, symposiums, and roundtables organized by divisions are supervised by IEB HRD.”
Professor Dr. Engr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan, IEB General Secretary, added, “A significant portion of Bangladesh’s population suffers from deficiencies in Vitamin D and other essential nutrients.”
The seminar was presided over by Chairman of IEB’s Agricultural Engineering Division, Engr. Golam Mawla. The welcome speech was delivered by Vice-Chairman of the division, Engr. Mohammad Sarwar Mawla, while Engr. Md. Belal Siddiquee, Secretary of the division, moderated the session.
The keynote paper was presented by Engr. Md. Gulzar Ahmed, Country Program Manager of Food Fortification, who provided a comprehensive overview of food fortification both globally and in Bangladesh. He discussed its current status, challenges, and future directions.
During the open discussion that followed, participants pointed out, “Despite consuming adequate amounts of food, many in Bangladesh suffer from deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals, impeding child growth, maternal health, and the country’s overall development. Food fortification is a practical and sustainable solution to address this nutritional gap. By adding iodine, iron, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, and vitamins B1, B6, and B12 to food, malnutrition-related deficiencies can be effectively addressed.”
Participants collectively pledged to work together to ensure food security and enhance public health. The seminar concluded with the formulation of a set of actionable recommendations expected to serve as a guide for future policymakers.
