Las carencias micronutricionales en México ¿una salud de hierro?

The report finds that many major flour brands in Mexico, particularly for nixtamalized corn flour, use iron compounds with low bioavailability, such as electrolytic iron, despite recommendations from the WHO and Mexican law. This failure in fortification is highlighted against a backdrop of rising anemia rates in Mexico, where corn represents 72% of cereal consumption. The study calls for updated legislation, stricter government monitoring, and better industry labeling to ensure effective micronutrient delivery to the population.

• Mexico is experiencing a nutritional deficit where approximately 25% of children and 20% of pregnant women suffer from anemia, with half of these cases attributed to iron deficiencies. Additionally, it is estimated that 90% of women do not have sufficient iron intake.
• Corn is a critical component of the Mexican diet, accounting for 72% of total cereal consumption. For those in rural areas, corn tortillas provide an estimated 65% of their nutritional requirements.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against using electrolytic iron for fortifying high-extraction flours, including nixtamalized corn flour, because the nixtamalization process and the alkaline environment of lime reduce iron absorption.
• Eight of the twelve largest corn flour brands in Mexico do not follow Mexican legislation or WHO recommendations regarding iron sources. Specifically, brands such as Maseca, San Blas, Maizza, and store brands from Walmart (Aurrerá), Soriana, and Chedraui use electrolytic iron, while Hari Masa uses reduced iron, both of which have low bioavailability.
• While most refined white wheat flours use recommended iron sources, some brands (Tres Estrellas, Selecta, San Blas, and La Perla) use ferrous fumarate in whole-grain flours, which complies with national law but contradicts WHO guidelines for high-extraction products.
• There is a significant lack of transparency and compliance regarding labeling, particularly for imported products and certain local brands like Aires del Campo, 5 Stagioni, and Bob’s Red Mill, which either do not declare fortification status or do not specify the iron source.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2018). Las carencias micronutricionales en México ¿una salud de hierro? https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/¿Una_Salud_de_hierro_-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Las carencias micronutricionales en México ¿una salud de hierro? 2018. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/¿Una_Salud_de_hierro_-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Las carencias micronutricionales en México ¿una salud de hierro? |date=November 2018 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/¿Una_Salud_de_hierro_-FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2018las, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Las carencias micronutricionales en México ¿una salud de hierro?}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2018}, month = nov, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/¿Una_Salud_de_hierro_-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }