2001 AACC Annual Meeting Charlotte, North Carolina October 14-18, 2001 Charlotte Convention Center

It has been well established that fortification of staple cereal flours is an effective and sustainable strategy in the control and prevention of numerous micronutrient deficiencies. Large scale and central processing of cereals in parts of Europe and North America facilitated the cereal fortification process. However, in many countries in Africa and Asia, consumers typically mill small batches of staple grains at local hammer mills to get their weekly supply of wheat flour or maize meal. It is important to address the micronutrient needs of at risk populations living in this situation where centrally processed foods are not accessible. Hence Small Scale Fortification (SSF) is being tested and advocated where the majority of staple cereals are processed by mills with capacity of less than three tonnes per day. Simple blenders at the mill sites could be used to blend pre-diluted micronutrient pre-mixes. Training on proper blending methods, quality control and community education are important during the implementation of SSF activities. Successful pilot testing in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa indicate the possibility to expand SSF activities. Also, several organizations are working together to bring about improvements in technology through the design and testing of self sustained mobile milling units that are capable of milling, fortification and packaging of cereal flours.