Modeling the Contribution of Multiple Micronutrient Fortification of Salt to Daily Nutrient Intake Among the Ethiopian Population.

Background: Salt is an affordable commodity and has wide coverage regardless of economic and social status and, hence, could be suitable vehicle for multiple micronutrient fortification.

Objectives: This study aimed to simulate the contribution folic acid and zinc fortification of iodized salt to nutrient intake among the Ethiopian population.

Methods: The 2013 Ethiopian National Food Consumption Survey and various food composition tables were used to estimate baseline individual-level micronutrient intake. Usual intake was estimated using the Simulating Intake of Micronutrients for Policy Learning and Engagement macro tool. Discretionary salt consumption was calculated from total salt intake estimated using urinary sodium excretion. Fortificant addition rates were set to obtain maximum nutrient intake while simultaneously constraining that population with intake above the tolerable upper intake level to <5%. Addis Ababa and Somali ( = 2271), the regions with relatively the lowest and highest micronutrient deficiency prevalence in Ethiopia, were selected.

Result: Baseline median intake of Zn was below the estimated average requirement for all demographic groups. Inadequate Zn intake ranged from 73% to 99%, the highest prevalence being observed among women in lower class of wealth quintiles from Somali region. Dietary folate inadequacy was as low as 2% among men in Addis Ababa but almost all (99%) women from Somali region had inadequate folate intake. Calculated discretionary salt intake was 7.5 g/d for adult men and women and 3.4 g/d for children. With addition 0.8 mg Zn and 30 μg of folic acid per gram of salt, multiple salt fortification is estimated to reduce Zn inadequacy by 38 percentage points in urban areas and19 percentage points in rural areas. Modeled reduction in folate inadequacy were 18% in urban areas and 22% in rural areas.

Conclusions: Multiple salt fortification could be an effective approach to address micronutrient adequacy in Ethiopia given efficacious, technological, and economical feasibility.