AFRICAN STANDARD CD-ARS 861

Introduction
CD-ARS 861:2012
Maize flour or maize meal can be considered in fortification programs because they are staple foods
in many parts of the world. For example, in Zambia, over two-thirds of the daily energy intake comes
from maize; in Central America, almost one-half of the daily energy intake comes from maize flour;
and in a number of other countries between 10 and 30 percent of daily energy intake is from maize
flour or maize meal.
The concentration of vitamins and minerals to be added must be calculated based on nutritional
requirements and consumption patterns, after which losses during storage and cooking must also be
considered. Venezuela, for example, fortifies maize flour with a vitamin-mineral premix containing
vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron. Also, certain producers in Zimbabwe and Namibia
fortify maize meal with a vitamin–mineral premix containing vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin,
folate, pyridoxine and iron.
This African Standard seeks to establish a uniform regime for fortification which, if adopted, would
make it possible to trade in fortified maize meal or maize flour across the borders of the countries in
the continent.
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