Vitamin A content of fortified maize meal and porridge as purchased and consumed in South Africa

In 2003 the Department of Health of South Africa embarked on a mandatory fortification programme of maize meal as part of a nutrition program to alleviate malnutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the vitamin A content in fortified white maize meal and the maize porridge prepared with it as purchased and consumed. The highest mean vitamin A concentration in the maize meal was 261 μgRE/100g and the lowest mean vitamin A concentration was <19 μgRE/100g. Pertaining to regulation the final minimum level of vitamin A in fortified maize meal shall not be less than 187.7 μg/100g (Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 2003). The average retention of vitamin A in maize porridge as the difference in vitamin A concentration between raw maize meal and cooked porridge was calculated as 39.8%. Although fortification of maize meal can improve the vitamin A intake of the population, it must be regularly monitored and regulate in order to be beneficial. If not then fortification might as well be voluntary.