Resumen

CHAVEZ PEREZ, José Félix. Enrichment of precooked corn flour and of wheat flour in Venezuela. A successful experience. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2020, vol.33, n.1, pp.67-75.  Epub 04-Abr-2021. ISSN 0798-0752.

TIn Venezuela a severe economic crisis beginning in 1983 provoked a progressive reduction of the quality and quantity of food consumed by the low socioecnomic strata of the population. The lowest adequacy percentages with respect to Venezuelan RDAs were for iron, vitamin A and to a lesser extent, for vitamin B complex. Being precooked corn flour, PCF, responsible for 40 % of the Calories derived from cereals and for 15 -16 % of the total calories intake in the diet, an excellent and unique vehicle for enrichment, the National Institute of Nutrition, NIN, started the investigations toward its fortification with iron (as ferrous fumarate), vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. In 1992 a fortification profile was developed in such a way that 50 g of PCF (amount needed for a 110 g ready-to-eat arepa) covered approximately 25 % of the RDAs for the mentioned nutrients, after taking into consideration the losses due to the cooking process. The announcement of this measure as an official policy, provoked some adverse reactions among the private sector. In August 1992, by Presidential Decree No 2.492, the Commission for the Nutritional Enrichment of Foods, CENA, was created with the specific task of reconciling efforts and carry forward the enrichment of the PCF. With the attendance of key representatives of the corn and wheat industries, the government and the media, the CENA announced the official fortification profile of the PCF (per kg) : vitamin A: 2,700 RE; thiamin: 3.1 mg; riboflavin: 2.5 mg; niacin: 51 mg; iron: 50 mg. Official Venezuelan Bureau of Standars (COVENIN), mandatory Standard No 2135-1996. Since February 1993 all the PCF sold in Venezuela must be enriched. Wheat flour. WF. The Venezuelan Wheat Producers Association, VWPA, presented in november 1992 a tentative and non compulsory fortification profile. In march the CENA voted against the non compulsory character of the fortification of WF and upon agreement with the VWPA, set in force the mandatory fortification profile as follow (per kg): thiamin: 1.5 mg; riboflavin: 2.0 mg; niacin: 20 mg; iron: 20 mg (as ferrous fumarate). COVENIN mandatory Standard No 217:2001. Since august 1993 all the WF sold in Venezuela must be enriched.

Palabras clave : Unique vehicle; precooked corn flour; wheat four; enrichment profile; presidential decree; official sector; private industry.

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