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Jalpa Ratna, the UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, visited a bakery in Ahal Velayat.

Jalpa Ratna got acquainted with the activities of the complex’s laboratories and witnessed the process of fortifying flour with iron and folic acid.

Jalpa Ratna also observed how bread is baked from the mineral-fortified flour and distributed to families.

The UNICEF team also visited other departments of the bakery, including the flour mill and packaging departments.

Since 1996, UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Turkmenistan in procuring premixes for flour fortification. Turkmenistan was one of the first countries in the region to start a flour fortification program and continues to be one of the leading countries in Central Asia in this field.

In 2006, folic acid was added to the formula, and since then all wheat flour produced in Turkmenistan has been fortified with folic acid and iron, ensuring optimal consumption of these essential micronutrients by the population.

Fortifying wheat flour with vitamins and minerals is a proven, safe, and cost-effective strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies, such as anemia, and improving nutrition-related health outcomes. Worldwide, it has been proven that fortifying staple foods also has a significant positive impact on a country's economy by improving the health and productivity of its population.

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Photo: instagram.com/unicef_turkmenistan