DHAKA, Dec 11, 2024 (BSS) - The International Finance Corporation (IFC), in
partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with
support from the Government of Japan and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
hosted its 2nd International Food Fortification Forum on Tuesday in
Bangladesh.

The event brought together private and public sector leaders to address
micronutrient deficiencies, promote best practices and explore opportunities
to scale up initiatives in food fortification.

Bangladesh, recognized as a priority country for IFC's nutrition initiatives,
has a significant opportunity to further enhance its progress in improving
public health through targeted nutrition strategies, said a press release
today.

The 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey underscored the potential
impact of addressing micronutrient deficiencies in children under five and
women of reproductive age, highlighting food fortification as a powerful tool
to advance nutrition security and foster long-term well-being.

The forum featured discussions on scaling up food fortification, agribusiness
innovations, and the role of the private sector in integrating vitamins and
minerals into staple foods.

Stakeholders included IFC clients, policymakers, development partners, and
key decision-makers from the food production industry.

Food fortification is a proven strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies
globally. IFC's decade-long efforts in supporting food companies and
governments aim to make fortified, nutritious foods more accessible and
affordable.

Through partnerships and advisory programs, including support from the Gates
Foundation, IFC is committed to enhancing food and nutrition security in
Bangladesh while fostering sustainable development and public health
improvements.

"At IFC, we recognize the critical role that food fortification plays in
addressing micronutrient deficiencies and improving public health outcomes.
By leveraging our expertise and fostering public-private partnerships, we aim
to drive private sector participation to bridge the nutrition gap in
Bangladesh and beyond." Said Anup Jagwani, IFC Global Head of Agribusiness.

"IFC's 2nd International Food Fortification Forum served as a platform to
bring key stakeholders together, including the private sector to discuss how
to bridge the nutrition gap in Bangladesh through innovative incentives like
food fortification. Bangladesh has made significant strides in achieving food
security over the past decade, it's time to raise the bar and talk about
nutrition security." said Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Manager in Bangladesh,
Bhutan, and Nepal.

"The mission of GAIN is to improve the consumption of healthier diets for
all, especially the most vulnerable, by improving the availability,
affordability, desirability, and sustainability of nutritious and safe foods,
and reducing the consumption of unhealthy and unsafe foods. Experience and
evidence demonstrate that well-designed consumer and compliance-driven food
fortification interventions working with public, private, and relevant
sectors improve health, support human development, and boost productivity."
Said Dr Rudaba Khondker, GAIN Country Director, Bangladesh."