How We Work

Micronutrient intervention programs can be put into one of three categories: fortification (where the micronutrient is put into the commercial food supply), biofortification (techniques to grow food with enhanced micronutrients), and supplementation (supplementing the diet with vitamins, special drinks, lozenges, etc.). All of these methods are effective and part of the bigger solution.

Project Healthy Children focuses on fortification as it has the greatest impact for the lowest cost. Fortification, once in place, is essentially a "stealth-health" program and does not require the population to change habits or practices - they get the benefit without even knowing it's occurring. Fortification can take place at the national level, where we work with local governments to design and pass food fortification laws. It can also occur at the local level where we work with small local millers to fortify the foods at the village level.