JKUAT, Ministry of Health to help cushion Kenyans from hunger

Kenyans facing starvation have a reason to smile after the European Union announced its plan to help achieve an integrated approach to improve nutritional through fortification of common staple foods.

The programme dabbed, “Strengthening the Kenya National Food Fortification Programme,” will be implemented by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

“The project aims to strengthen the capacity of cereal millers to deliver micronutrient rich staple foods to target populations, particularly women, girls and children,” EU Delegation in Kenya, Head of Cooperation, Erik Habers said during the launch of the programme at the Safari Park Hotel.

JKUAT will work together with the Kenya National Food Fortification Alliance (KNFFA), a public-private partnership led by the Ministry of Health that brings together all key stakeholders involved in food fortification including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Premix-Suppliers, industrial players (flour, oil, salt) and consumer organisations.

Food fortification with single or multiple micronutrients has been reported to improve nutrition and health standards of entire populations.