VIENTIANE: Laos is stepping up efforts to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies by launching a large-scale rice fortification initiative aimed at improving national nutrition and public health.
Representatives from the Lao Ministry of Health, development partners and other stakeholders gathered here on Thursday (Aug 28) for a national workshop on rice fortification to advance standards and nutrition security in Laos, Lao News Agency reported.
Rice fortification offers a cost-effective solution to address iron deficiency anemia, which affects around 40 per cent of women of reproductive age and 44 per cent of children under five nationwide.
These deficiencies can cause fatigue, impaired learning, stunted growth and birth defects such as neural tube disorders in pregnant women. In 2020 alone, anemia-related health issues resulted in economic losses exceeding US$241 million, said the report.
To tackle this issue, Laos launched a national rice fortification project in early 2025. As rice is the staple food in Lao diets, it serves as an ideal vehicle for fortification. Fortified rice looks and tastes like regular rice but is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals crucial for health and development.
The Lao Ministry of Health is leading the government's efforts to integrate fortified rice into the national food system, with technical support from development partners.
The Lao government and the United Nations World Food Programme are working together to develop national rice fortification standards and a regulatory framework. These measures will ensure the safe and consistent production of fortified rice, while also guiding scaling up and building public trust through quality assurance.
The national workshop marks the beginning of the consultation process for setting these standards and lays a strong foundation for long-term improvements in nutrition and health across Laos. - Xinhua
