Extreme poverty, no matter where it occurs, poses a threat to human welfare. According to the World Food Programme, nearly 690 million people went hungry in2019, up 10 million from 2018 and nearly 60 million in five years.
The most recent Hidden Hunger studies ignore the consequences of the projected disasters in2020, where hunger and undernutrition are already serious, placing their populations at greater risk of acute food shortages and chronic hunger in the future. Millions of people are facing food and nutrition insecurity as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic downturn, which is compounded by conflict and climate extremes.
A worldwide shift to combat hidden hunger must be triggered by numerous governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations collaborating with food producers to process food in such a way that micronutrient shortages are eventually addressed. Micronutrients can be mixed with staple foods like rice, oil, wheat, or maize flour, as well as condiments like salt, for a very low cost.
As a result, food fortification is a low-cost breakthrough with long-term human capital and economic benefits. As part of broader national efforts to combat chronic undernutrition, food fortification is one of the most cost-effective and reliable investment opportunities.
On that note, Hexagon Nutrition, as a leader in supporting responsible nutrition in India and around the Globe, hosted a webinar on Food Fortification – A Sustainable Solution to Combat Hidden Hunger in a Globalized World on March 2nd,2021, in collaboration with ASSOCHAM.
Check out the complete article at Hexagon Nutrition