Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Point-of-use micronutrient powders (MNPs) effectively reduce anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 6-24 months, but do not significantly impact growth.
For children aged 6-24 months in low-resource settings, use daily micronutrient powders (MNPs) sprinkled on food to prevent anemia and iron deficiency. Do not expect these powders to improve the child's height or weight.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
A recent Cochrane review has established that MNPs are effective in reducing anemia and iron deficiency for children 6–24 months [30]. Home fortification with MNP reduced anemia by 31% and iron deficiency by 51% in infants and young children when compared with no intervention or placebo but did not find an effect on growth [32].
Why this rating
Based on Cochrane reviews and specific country studies.
Source
Food Fortification: The Advantages, Disadvantages and Lessons from Sight and Life Programs
Rebecca Olson et al. · Nutrients · 2021
DOI 10.3390/nu13041118
narrative_reviewCited 282×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Large-scale food fortification (LSFF) of staple foods (flour, salt, oil, sugar) significantly reduces the prevalence of anemia, goiter, and neural tube defects in low- and middle-income countries.Good
- Iron fortification of wheat flour may have little to no effect on anemia or iron deficiency, and in some cases, poor diet quality can compromise its benefits.Moderate
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