Review of Regulatory Monitoring System for Fortified Foods in Nepal

Abstract

Salt and wheat flour are the two main foods and condiments that are fortified with vitamins and minerals on a large scale in Nepal. The objective of this exercise was to review and document the regulatory monitoring systems (legal framework, internal, external and commercial monitoring) for fortified salt and wheat flour in order to draw lessons that could identify constraints and weaknesses and develop recommendations for changes that will improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the systems in Nepal and also provide valuable lessons for other countries. A summary of this review served as the basis for a Nepal case study which was used to facilitate the meeting on regulatory monitoring of fortified foods organized by various partners and hosted by World Health Organization, or WHO in Manila 27-29 September 2011. The review was carried out by two consultants using the Framework for monitoring and evaluation of food fortification. It consisted of a desk review of available documents on the regulatory monitoring systems in Nepal, including in particular, all past reviews and analyses of these industries and fortification programs. The desk review was followed by a country visit to interview the main stakeholders including salt and wheat flour producers, relevant departments of the ministries of health and population and department of food technology and quality control, ministry of agriculture and cooperatives, at national, regional and district levels.