Kenya pushes for voluntary rice fortification to combat malnutrition and improve public health

Kenya is encouraging rice millers to adopt voluntary rice fortification to address rising malnutrition and improve public health.

Although there is a positive outlook towards fortified rice, awareness of fortification remains limited.

The majority of medium to large-scale millers lack the necessary equipment for fortification due to the high capital investment required. A report by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) indicates that with rice consumption increasing across the country, fortifying the staple food could help provide essential micronutrients, reducing healthcare costs associated with malnutrition.

However, challenges such as high production costs and limited consumer awareness remain. The government is exploring ways to make rice fortification more affordable and is considering making it mandatory once a significant portion of millers participate.

 As rice consumption continues to rise in Kenya, the government is urging local millers to embrace voluntary rice fortification to combat malnutrition and improve public health.

Brenda Nakhumicha, the Ministry's Head of the Division of Food Safety said  the Ministry is working to raise awareness and encourage wider adoption, noting that fortifying this staple food could provide crucial micronutrients to the population. However, challenges such as high production costs and limited consumer knowledge are slowing progress.

Food fortification is the deliberate process of increasing the micronutrient content of food, specifically vitamins and minerals, to improve its nutritional quality. This according to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), not only benefits public health but also poses minimal health risks.

“Despite the push for rice fortification, the Ministry of Health is still in the process of advocating and raising awareness among millers, which is why the initiative remains voluntary for now. The process is voluntary until a significant portion of millers, around 70 percent, is on board. At that point, the possibility of making it mandatory will be reconsidered,” Nakhumicha explained.

“Once we reach about 70 percent adoption, we will decide whether to move towards mandatory fortification or continue with the voluntary approach,” she said.

Nakhumicha also mentioned that the government has already implemented mandatory fortification for maize flour, wheat flour, oil, and salt.

She noted that Kenya is experiencing a shift away from maize as the primary staple, with rice gaining increasing popularity. “Statistics show that rice is consumed in many Kenyan homes at least three to four times a week. This is why it is crucial to begin fortifying rice as well. Rice fortification aims to improve the nutritional status of Kenyans, particularly as malnutrition continues to be a significant concern,” said Nakhumicha.

She added that fortification will not only to improve the nutritional content of rice but also reduce the economic burden of diseases related to malnutrition.

Nakhumicha indicated that the government also plans to conduct a cost-benefit analysis this year to assess the impact of fortification on healthcare costs, based on the success of other fortification efforts.

A recent report on Kenya's rice value chain showed that food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly due to micronutrient deficiencies, are major challenges. Large-scale food fortification programs have the potential to improve the population's nutritional status. The study involved a survey of 312 consumers from low-income urban areas in Nairobi and Mombasa, as well as rice-producing households in Kisumu and Kirinyaga. It assessed the feasibility of introducing fortified rice in Kenya.

The report revealed that rice traders and consumers have limited knowledge and interest in rice fortification. This is partly due to the high cost of fortification technology and the perception that it would increase retail prices. According to the report, without regulatory backing or incentives, the success of voluntary fortification could be limited. High production costs and financial constraints may prevent some rice processors from adopting fortification, particularly in informal markets where maintaining standards is challenging.

“While voluntary fortification has merits, its success hinges on regulatory support and the involvement of all stakeholders, including traders, millers, and consumers,” the report stated. For rice fortification to succeed, it suggests that the process must be standardized and enforced.

The report further indicated that rice industry is seeing a growing demand due to changing dietary habits, especially in urban areas. However, local rice production meets only 14 percent of the demand, which surpassed one million metric tonnes in 2023.

It also noted that Kenya has made significant progress in food fortification, establishing necessary legislation and mechanisms for stakeholder involvement. Despite this, challenges remain, especially in enforcing standards among small-scale millers and ensuring equitable access to fortified foods.

To strengthen the fortification program, the report recommended improved coordination, resource allocation, and engagement at both sectoral and county levels. In addition to monitoring systems, regulatory capacity, and public awareness also need to be enhanced to ensure the program's sustainability and effectiveness.

Nakhumicha added that Kenya already has a policy in place for rice fortification, developed in collaboration with other ministries. She however pointed out the need for increased advocacy and consumer awareness, adding that once demand for fortified rice is generated, it will be easier for industries to adopt fortification.

She reassured Kenyans that fortified rice is safe for consumption and will improve their health. “Fortified rice is good for your health. It will help reduce healthcare costs by providing essential micronutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamins that are lacking in the unfortified product,” she said.

Prof. Daniel Sila, Principal at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at JKUAT, noted that Kenya has made significant strides in food fortification since introducing salt iodization in 1978. However, deficiencies in micronutrients such as iron and zinc remain a concern. He said the government plans to extend fortification efforts to other food vehicles, including rice, which has seen a per capita consumption increase of 12 percent annually.

“There’s a growing need to provide micronutrient-rich foods to all Kenyans through rice fortification,” said Sila.

He said a draft fortification standard has already been presented within the East African Standard Board and is expected to be approved soon. The standard will guide the fortification of rice with key micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9, and B12.

While fortification technology is costly for many millers, Sila noted that the government could help by subsidizing the equipment needed for rice fortification, such as micro-dosers and scales, as well as removing taxes on fortified rice kernels. “Such measures would lower production costs and prevent consumers from bearing the financial burden of fortification,” she said.

Ludivicus Omollo, Senior Associate at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), pointed out that micronutrient malnutrition is a major barrier to socioeconomic development. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can hinder cognitive and physical development, reducing productivity and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

He said in Kenya, the 'triple burden' of malnutrition, undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity, remains a challenge.

The recent Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) shows that one in five children under five are stunted, and three in five pre-school children have low vitamin A status, with a third being iron deficient. These deficiencies increase the risk of illness and mortality.

JohnBosco Muthama, Quality Assurance Manager at Capwell Industries Limited, confirmed that the cost of adding a fortification line is high, but the company is absorbing the cost as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). Currently, Capwell Industries Limited is the only company that is actively involved in the rice fortification process.

He urged the government to subsidize the equipment required for fortification and remove taxes on imported fortified rice kernels to make fortified rice more affordable for consumers.

Muthama noted the importance of consumer awareness, explaining that fortified rice contains added vitamins and minerals that are absent in unfortified rice.

“Once consumers understand the benefits of fortified rice, the market demand will grow, making it easier for millers to adopt rice fortification on a larger scale,” he said.