Burundi’s program took an enormous step forward with the signing of the Presidential Fortification Decree! As of March 2016, after the established grace period, fortification will be mandatory for all importers and domestic producers. And premix has been declared VAT free, significantly reducing the price of fortification for producers. These achievements will make an enormous impact on the lives of millions of women and children throughout the country.

The fortification decree applies to wheat, cassava, and maize flour; cooking oil; and salt. The standards follow adopted ECSA fortification standards as recommended by PHC and regional experts.

Over the next several months, PHC will work closely with the Bureau of Standards to ensure inspectors adhere to the required sampling and testing plan, results are reported back to stakeholders using Burundi’s Fortification Monitoring Tool, and industry are provided with further technical assistance. The coming weeks will see the decree printed in three national newspapers for public announcement.

Despite ongoing political turmoil and violence, strong leadership and committed industry did not let the situation thwart efforts to make fortification a reality. If progress continues at this pace, the program here will be on track to ensure all industry is producing adequately fortified food by the end of 2016.

Source: Project Healthy Children