Rana Afzal briefed on Food Fortification Programme

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):A three-member delegation of Food Fortification Programme (FFP) Pakistan headed by Diane Northway called on Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan here on Thursday.
She was accompanied by Technical Director Dr Tauseef Akhtar Janjua and National Advocacy and Communications Manager Laila Rubab Jaskani, a press release said.
The delegation briefed the minister on objectives of the programme.
The FFP initiative of UK Government (DFID), launched last October, focuses on improvement of nutrition in the country, including fortification of wheat flour, edible oil and ghee across Pakistan, starting in Punjab.
The FFP aims to improve the production, access and consumption of wheat flour fortified with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and zinc, and edible oil and ghee fortified with vitamins A and D. Women of children bearing age and children would especially benefit from the programme.
Northway said provincial and district level food departments, health departments, Pakistan Flour Mills Association and Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association have an important role to play in achieving the objectives of the programme.
The government’s help in improvement of the Food Fortification Regulatory system through effective policy making is also vital, she added.
The minister said improvement of nutrition for the people was also among priority areas for the government.
He appreciated the initiative and expressed support for the FFP, wishing the whole FFP team complete success in their endeavours.