Micronutrient Premix
Wheat Flour Fortification
Food Research Lab specializes in the development of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to combat severe
A Key to Addressing Hidden Hunger
Wheat is the most widely produced and consumed cereal grain globally, forming a cornerstone of diets across diverse populations. However, during the milling process, a significant proportion of essential nutrients—concentrated primarily in the bran and germ layers of the wheat grain—is lost. These include critical vitamins like B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), niacin, and E, as well as essential minerals such as iron and zinc. The extent of nutrient loss is even more pronounced in flours with lower extraction rates, making fortification an indispensable strategy to bridge this nutritional gap.
Fortification: Rebuilding Nutritional Integrity
At Food Research Lab, our advanced wheat flour fortification premixes are designed to restore these lost nutrients effectively. Fortification not only compensates for the nutrient depletion during processing but also enhances overall public health outcomes by improving nutrient intake, boosting individual productivity, and reducing micronutrient deficiencies on a population level. This is particularly significant in combating conditions like anemia and cognitive deficits linked to iron and B-vitamin deficiencies.
Innovative Premix Solutions by FRL
Our specialized micronutrient premixes incorporate an optimized blend of nutrients, cofactors, and protective agents in precise quantities. This ensures seamless integration into the milling process, simplifying operations and enhancing efficiency. Key benefits of our premixes include:
Our scientifically developed formulations enhance the stability of nutrients in flour, ensuring that their efficacy is retained during storage, distribution, and cooking.
By streamlining production and reducing wastage, our premixes lower operational costs while delivering high-quality fortified flour.
Our innovative processes ensure that the fortified wheat flour maintains the same taste, texture, and appearance as unfortified flour, promoting consumer acceptability and market success.
FRL’s Role in RUTF Development
1. Custom Nutritional Formulation
- Macronutrient Optimization: FRL develops energy-dense formulations using ingredients like peanuts, milk solids, sugar, vegetable oils, and maltodextrin to provide over 500 kcal/100g.
- Micronutrient Enrichment: Inclusion of vital vitamins (A, D, E, K, B-complex) and minerals (zinc, iron, calcium, selenium, iodine) to restore health and prevent deficiencies.
- Functional Ingredients: Incorporating omega fatty acids and other essential nutrients to enhance immunity and support recovery.
2. Ease of Use and Compliance
- Prepackaged Solutions: RUTF is designed as ready-to-eat products, eliminating the need for cooking or water, making it ideal for emergency settings.
- Child-Friendly Palatability: FRL ensures RUTF formulations have an appealing taste and texture to encourage consumption among young children.
3. Regulatory and Quality Compliance
- Global Standards: All formulations align with guidelines from WHO, UNICEF, and Codex Alimentarius.
- Safety and Stability Testing: Extensive testing ensures RUTF products remain shelf-stable for up to 12-24 months, even under harsh environmental conditions.
4. Scalable and Sustainable Solutions
- Local Sourcing: Utilizing locally available ingredients such as peanuts or soya to reduce costs and support local economies.
- Production Efficiency: FRL supports pilot production and scale-up for NGOs, governments, and humanitarian organizations.
5. Tailored Therapeutic Applications
- Emergency Relief: RUTF is developed for rapid deployment in disaster-stricken or conflict-affected areas.
- Long-Term Recovery: Formulations support children recovering from SAM and MAM to prevent relapse into malnutrition.
Driving Public Health Impact
Wheat flour fortification has been globally recognized as a sustainable intervention to tackle hidden hunger. At FRL, we leverage cutting-edge research and technology to deliver premixes tailored to meet the diverse needs of populations, aligning with global standards such as those set by WHO and Codex Alimentarius. Our approach ensures that fortified wheat flour not only supports caloric requirements but also contributes significantly to reducing nutrient deficiencies, fostering better health, and driving economic growth.
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