Abstract
Background. Universal fortification of staple foods with
iron has been widely promoted as a cost-effective strategy
to reduce iron deficiency in developing-country populations.
Nonetheless, relatively few efficacy trials have been
reported to date to demonstrate impact on iron status.
The Ultra Rice technology provides a means of delivering
fortificant iron via rice.
Objective. The objective of this study was to test the
efficacy of rice fortified with microencapsulated, micronized
iron pyrophosphate to improve the iron status of
women in Mexico in a randomized, controlled intervention
trial.
Methods. Nonpregnant, nonlactating women 18 to 49
years of age were recruited from six factories. The women
received a daily portion of cooked rice 5 days per week for
a period of 6 months, before and after which iron status
indicators were determined in venous blood samples.
Results. The average intake of iron from the fortificant
was 13 mg/day. Mean plasma ferritin concentration and
estimated body iron stores were significantly higher, and
transferrin receptors were lower, in the iron-fortified
rice group following the intervention. Mean hemoglobin
concentration also increased in the treatment group, but
the increase was significant only when the analysis was
restricted to those with baseline hemoglobin < 12.8 g/dL.
The absolute reduction in anemia and iron deficiency
was 10.3 and 15.1 percentage points, respectively. Total iron intake from fortificant was a significant covariate
of change in body iron stores. The overall prevalence of
anemia was reduced by 80%.
Conclusions. Fortification of rice with iron using this
technology is an efficacious strategy for preventing iron
deficiency.