South Africa embarked on mandatory vitamin and mineral fortification of wheat flour and maize meal in
2003 as part of a multi-faceted approach to alleviate malnutrition. However, it was reported, in 2008, that
vitamin A deficiency increased despite the mandatory fortification programme. This motivates an investigation
into the absorption of vitamin A as fortificant in the maize meal.
Relative absorption, in chickens as the biological model, was determined by evaluating growth and
vitamin A status. The weight, cumulative feed intake and liver retinol stores of chickens on different diets
were measured over a 6 week period.
The fortified white maize meal diet was able to maintain the vitamin A status of the chickens.
Poor absorption of the fortificant vitamin A is therefore not a constraint in combating vitamin A defi-
ciency. It is in therefore also important to focus on the level of fortification delivered when consumed as a
traditional prepared dish. In the traditional diet, maize porridge is often consumed with only a relish. The
total fat content of the traditional meal is very low, lacking absorption enhancers
South Africa embarked on mandatory vitamin and mineral fortification of wheat flour and maize meal in2003 as part of a multi-faceted approach to alleviate malnutrition. However, it was reported, in 2008, thatvitamin A deficiency increased despite the mandatory fortification programme. This motivates an investigationinto the absorption of vitamin A as fortificant in the maize meal.Relative absorption, in chickens as the biological model, was determined by evaluating growth andvitamin A status. The weight, cumulative feed intake and liver retinol stores of chickens on different dietswere measured over a 6 week period.The fortified white maize meal diet was able to maintain the vitamin A status of the chickens.Poor absorption of the fortificant vitamin A is therefore not a constraint in combating vitamin A defi-ciency. It is in therefore also important to focus on the level of fortification delivered when consumed as atraditional prepared dish. In the traditional diet, maize porridge is often consumed with only a relish. Thetotal fat content of the traditional meal is very low, lacking absorption enhancers
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