SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF: Food fortification in Mexico

The report examines food fortification in Mexico, focusing on the mandatory addition of micronutrients to wheat and maize flour. It highlights a 'double burden of malnutrition' where high obesity rates coexist with widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc. While legislation (NOM-247-SSA1-2008) mandates fortification, the report finds that the legal framework lacks details on external monitoring and enforcement, effectively leaving the industry to self-regulate. Analysis of available government data from COFEPRIS shows variable compliance, with a concerning drop in folic acid compliance in maize flour from 100% in 2015 to one-third in 2017. The report also criticizes the 'bad fortification' of ultra-processed 'junk foods' used by the industry to mislead consumers about the health benefits of unhealthy products. It concludes with recommendations for the Mexican government to strengthen monitoring protocols, introduce penalties for non-compliance, and ensure that industrially produced tortillas and breads are made from fortified flour.

• Mexico faces a 'double burden of malnutrition,' characterized by some of the world's highest obesity rates alongside significant micronutrient deficiencies, including iron and zinc.
• The prevalence of anaemia among Mexican women of reproductive age (20–49 years) increased to 18.3% by 2016, reversing previous progress.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2018). SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF: Food fortification in Mexico. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FOOD-FORTIFICATION-IN-MEXICO-EN.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF: Food fortification in Mexico. 2018. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FOOD-FORTIFICATION-IN-MEXICO-EN.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF: Food fortification in Mexico |date=September 2018 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FOOD-FORTIFICATION-IN-MEXICO-EN.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2018sorting, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF: Food fortification in Mexico}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2018}, month = sep, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FOOD-FORTIFICATION-IN-MEXICO-EN.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }