November 23, 2024 17:46 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Mahayuti routs MVA in Maharashtra, INDIA retains Jharkhand; Priyanka's triumphant poll debut | How can Mahayuti win over 200 seats? Sanjay Raut cries foul over Maharashtra mandate | 'Third World War has begun:' Ex-Ukraine military commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny | UK-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations to resume in early 2024 | UK can arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits country based on ICC warrant
Government of Tripura, Tata Trusts launch Double Fortified Salt to tackle anemia concerns in the state

Government of Tripura, Tata Trusts launch Double Fortified Salt to tackle anemia concerns in the state

| | 07 Mar 2017, 04:15 pm
Agartala /Kolkata, Mar 7 (IBNS): With malnutrition serving as the underlying cause of over 45 per cent of under-five mortality, the high prevalence of childhood stunting and maternal and childhood anemia in India, Tata Trusts, under the leadership of Mr. Ratan Tata, has prioritised malnutrition as a focus area in an effort to address the inter-generational consequences that are associated with it.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Government of Tripura in 2015 seeks to address iron and iodine deficiencies prevalent amongst the local population, where 48.3% of children, 54.5% of all women and 24.7% of men are diagnosed anemics.

The launch of Double Fortified Salt (DFS), is one aspect of Tata Trusts’ multi-pronged approach to address the issue of malnutrition in India.

This DFS will be included in meals across all Aanganwadis, Primary Health Centres (PHC), and in Mid-Day Meals provided at schools in the region.

Tata Trusts partnered with the government of Tripura and provided technical assistance to identify suppliers of DFS that follow strict compliances and guidelines set out by FSSAI, liaise with the local government machinery and design communication campaigns to adopt DFS and nutrition-rich foods.

Given its universal use, salt is the most appropriate vehicle to provide nutrients through fortification. DFS is a refined, edible, free-flow salt, manufactured to contain iodine and iron; which when consumed by human beings, in the natural course of one’s daily diet, can fight off Iron Deficiency Anemia and Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Iron-fortified iodized salt has been extensively tested and its effectiveness in improving iron statuses and reducing the prevalence of anemia has been clearly demonstrated. Though DFS is not a ‘magic pill’, it is crucial to provide a fillip to the health statistics of vulnerable populations such as expectant mothers, adolescent girls, young children, and new mothers.

At present, the DFS salt will be available through government programs that reach mothers, both expectant and new; young children and adolescent girls - these groups that are most at risk of iron and iodine deficiencies. The incorporation of DFS in mid-day meals, Aanganwadis and PHCs is the first step to better nutrition in Tripura. Going ahead, DFS will be available for purchase at a subsidized rate to the many more families of Tripura through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.