Revised Indonesia standard expected to increase effectiveness

Indonesia has been fortifying wheat flour on a mandatory basis for more than 11 years, and it has recently reviewed its fortification standards in light of global World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

The Minister of Health is preparing to send a formal request to the Minister of Industry to increase the standard’s levels of iron, folic acid, and zinc and to specify the iron fortificant.

This will bring the country’s standard in line with global guidelines. This change is expected to significantly increase the effectiveness of flour fortification in Indonesia where flour is eaten by 90 % of the population, including the poor and rural communities.

While consumption of wheat flour in Indonesia is relatively small – about 50 grams per capita daily on average – fortification can be expected to have a health impact if the fortification levels are in line with global recommendations.

Also, a recent story in the Jakarta Globe newspaper noted that wheat and flour imports by Indonesia may increase 6 % this year as rising incomes boosts food demand. A flour miller in Indonesia is quoted as saying the milling capacity in the country increases by 400,000 tons every year.