The potential of various foods to serve as a carrier for micronutrient fortification, data from remote areas in Indonesia

Objective: To estimate the potential of various industrially produced foods , to serve as a carrier for micronutrient fortification based on the freque ncy of their consumption in different socio-economic strata; to determine t he role of fortified instant noodles as a source of micronutrients; to asse ss the contribution of plant foods, animal foods and fortified foods to vit amin A intake. Setting: A survey was conducted in rural South Sulawesi and urban South Kal imantan between November 1996 and January 1997. Subjects: Households (1500 in South Sulawesi; 2112 in South Kalimantan) wer e selected randomly by multistage cluster sampling. From each household, da ta were collected from the mother and her youngest child (0 - 5 y). Data collection: Mothers were interviewed on various topics, including soci o-economic status, food consumption, receipt of high-dose vitamin A capsule s, health and nutritional status. Results: Monosodium glutamate and salt were consumed daily in almost all ho useholds in both areas, and consumption was not associated with socio-econo mic status. Instant noodles were consumed in nearly all households in both areas, but consumption of fortified noodles was related to socio-economic s tatus; it was highest among households of government employees and private investors, and lowest among farmers and share-croppers. Vegetables were the most important source of vitamin A in rural South Sulawesi, while foods of animal origin were the most important source in urban South Kalimantan. Conclusions: The results support double or triple fortification of salt and /or monosodium glutamate with iodine, vitamin A and/or iron. Efforts to ove rcome associated technical and logistical difficulties are urgently needed. Sponsorship: Opportunities for Micronutrient Interventions (OMNI); United S tates agency for international Development (USAID).