India, Fortification of Mid-Day Meal Programme in Dhenkanal, Odisha: Evaluation

Micronutrient deficiency continues to affect sizeable sections of the global population and this “hidden hunger” extracts a substantial toll in terms of morbidity, mortality, reduced economic productivity and poor quality of life from those who are affected. The major Micronutrient Deficiency (MND) driven health conditions include anaemia due to various nutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12 and folate; vitamin A deficiency diseases; and iodine deficiency disorders. India, similar to many other low and middle income nations, have a large swathe of its populace suffering from these conditions, the effect of which is often more critically felt in the deficient children of school-going age among them. Odisha, a nutritionally vulnerable state has a relatively larger burden of such deficiency related disorders afflicting its children. It is known that food fortification is a one of the most effective, equitable and cost-efficient ways to mitigate the MND problem.