FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICIES IN FUNCTIONAL FOODS AND ENRICHMENT PURPOSES

Food enrichment is done to minimize the nutrition insecurity especially micronutrients. The healthy staple foods are usually selected as vehicle and enriched by nutrients taken at insufficient dose by people. Therefore, this strategy is curative and preventive.The levels of micronutrients are determined based on people need and WHO recommendations. Directive of food enrichment and functional foods has been prepared by Foods and Beverages headquarter of Iran FDA and is freely available at Iran FDA website. Accordingly, Iran FDA deputies at medical universities monitor the foods production lines and final products countywide. Moreover, the reference laboratory of foods control and other coordinated/accredited laboratories analyze the food samples routinely.Functional foods are those containing omega 3, probiotics, …One of interesting food group as good candidate for enrichment and addition of functional ingredients is dairies. Low fat pasteurized and sterilized milk, low fat cheese and doogh are enriched by vitamin D3 and functional ingredients.The national plans of salt enrichment by iodine and wheat flour by iron and folic acid are being implemented. Enrichment of dairies, oil and bread are under investigation. The enrichment plans are mandated after assessing the dietary patterns, rate of micronutrients deficiency, efficiency of enrichment during pilot study, and effectiveness through national implementation.Healthy foods containing low contents of sugar, salt and fat are allowed for both mandatory and voluntary enrichment. Special issues are discussed in scientific committee in the presence of faculty members. At these meetings, some issues such as interfering effects are investigated.Until now, the hygienic licenses have been issued for dairies (except for creamy high fat foods), cereal based foods such as bread, macaroni, cakes and fruit juices enriched with Fe, Zn, vitamin B groups, vitamin D and functional components such as probiotics, omega 3, prebiotics. In general, 200 licenses out of 300 hygienic licenses have been issued just for dairies.