Fortification of Vegetable oil and Sugar with Vitamin A in Uganda

Timeline of Major Fortification Events in Uganda
1991: Makerere University conducts a food consumption survey in Kamuli district
1993: Rapid assessment study in 37 or 39 districts found high levels of VAD, IDD and anemia
1994: Government mandates all imported salt to be iodized in compliance with Food and Drugs Acts
1995: UNICEF sponsors a fortification study tour to Zambia
Government negotiates with sugar factories to fortify with Vitamin A. Negotiations on-going
through 1997, but not conclusive.
1998: Ministry of Health commissions UBOS to conduct a National Consumption Survey.
1999: MOST conducts a Situation Analysis assessing the feasibility of vitamin A fortification in Uganda
2001: Makerere University's Food Science and Technology Department conducts produces an Industry
Assessment Report focused on maize flour and edible oil as suitable potential food
fortification vehicles based on the number of persons consuming them
Management of the Mukwano Group--owner of AK Oils--approves of the concept of fortification
2002: The National Working Group for Food Fortification (NWGFF) established by the MOH.
2003: A Makerere food consumption University survey conducts is conducted a food fortification by Makere survey. University.
MOST provides training in fortification issues and techniques, and sponsors NWGFF members
on a study tour to Morocco
Food fortification standards are established by the Ugandan National Bureau of Standards.
2004: National Fortification Food Fortification Campaign Campaign was started. starts.
16 laboratory technicians from 11 public and private institutions trained in food fortification
analytic methods to build national capacity for monitoring & evaluation and regulatory purposes.
2005: Fortification assessments and trials held in: Mukwano/Oil; Kakira/Sugar; and Maganjo/Maize
MOST purchases capital equipment and initial supplies of fortificant/premix for a few days of
operation to facilitate fortification uptake by the participating oil and maize flour industries. The
trial carried out at the sugar company only aimed to show feasibility.
Two new oil companies, BIDCO and Muddu, are established. BIDCO fortifies all oil with vitamin
A and D. Muddu is receptive to the idea of fortifying, but never actually started fortifying. The
company is reported to be bankrupt and in receivership (June 2008).
2006: Food fortification standards are revised with technical assistance of A2Z to adjust levels
and procedures to those agreed in a 2005-ECSA meeting.
Food Control Workshop held in October to develop a monitoring plan for fortified oil, maize and
salt at production, retail and importation sites. The first round of application QA/QC and
inspection sampling and testing was carried out to establish a UNBS-led regulatory system.
2007: ECSA develops food fortification guidelines and produces a set of manuals
of foor control for salt, oil and wheat flour, which have been applied in the QC/QA
and inspection rounds for adjusting and validating the tools.
2008: GAIN fortification grant focusing on maize and wheat flour and vegetable oil is awarded
A food/nutrient survey to assess quality of the diet, and penetration and use of food fortification
vehicles starts with the technical and economical support of A2Z and GAIN. WFP extend the
effort to other regions.
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