PUBLIC Health minister, Beth Mugo has called on industry players to abide by law and produce enriched food products through fortification.
Mugo says the addition of minerals and vitamins in foods will help fight off diseases and improve nutrition of Kenyans. In a speech read on her behalf by the director of public health, Shahnaz Sharif, at the launch of fortified foods, Mugo hailed additives in foodstuffs to improve their quality.
"Vitamin and mineral deficiencies continue to pose a major challenge to the health of our people," she said. She attributed incidences of underdevelopment, ill health and low education levels to poor diet.
More than 80 per cent of children under-five suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which affects their immunity and exposes them to infections and diseases.
"In recognition of this, the ministry routinely carries out vitamin A supplementation to children aged below five years," Mugo said.
She reiterated government's commitment to supplement iron and folic acid to expectant women to prevent anemia and guard against children being born with neural tube defects. Iron deficiency affects 43 per cent of children under five.
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