Micronutrient deficiencies in Mexico

The report finds that many major maize flour brands in Mexico use non-recommended iron sources, such as electrolytic iron, which have low bioavailability in nixtamalized flour. While most refined wheat flours follow recommendations, wholegrain varieties often do not meet WHO standards. The authors call for updated legislation and stricter government monitoring of production and imports to combat widespread iron deficiency.

• Mexico experiences significant nutritional deficits, with 90% of women not receiving sufficient iron in their diets, and anaemia affecting 25% of children and 20% of pregnant women.
• Maize is a dominant staple in the Mexican diet, representing 72% of the market share for grain consumed and providing approximately 65% of dietary nutrients for people in rural areas.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against using electrolytic iron for high-extraction or nixtamalized maize flour because the nixtamalization process and alkaline environment reduce iron absorption.
• An investigation of retail labels in Mexico City and Chiapas revealed that eight out of twelve maize flour brands did not use recommended iron sources. Major brands including Maseca, Maizza, San Blas, and own-brands from Walmart (Aurrerá), Soriana, and Chedraui used electrolytic iron despite it being unsuitable for nixtamalized flour.
• While most refined white wheat flours use recommended iron, four out of 17 brands used ferrous fumarate in wholegrain varieties, which contradicts WHO guidelines stating ferrous fumarate is ineffective for wholegrain flours.
• Imported wheat flour brands, such as 5 Stagioni, Bob’s Red Mill, and Pillsbury (owned by General Mills), either fail to state their fortification status or do not specify the iron source used, suggesting a lack of government monitoring of imports.
• The authors recommend that the Mexican government update legislation to align with WHO guidelines, implement rigorous external monitoring at mills and points of import, and make compliance data public.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2018). Micronutrient deficiencies in Mexico. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ironing-out-the-kinks-WEB-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Micronutrient deficiencies in Mexico. 2018. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ironing-out-the-kinks-WEB-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Micronutrient deficiencies in Mexico |date=November 2018 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ironing-out-the-kinks-WEB-FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2018micronutrient, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Micronutrient deficiencies in Mexico}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2018}, month = nov, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ironing-out-the-kinks-WEB-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }