fortified snacks for kids

Fortified Snacks for Kids

Ma. Katrina A. Demetrio, RNDNutrition Officer II

Nutrition Information and Education DivisionNational Nutrition Council

Would you give fortified snack foods to your kids?

We will talk about…1. National Nutrition Council2. The Philippine Nutrition Situation3. Food Fortification 4. Advantages and disadvantages of

fortified “snack foods”5. Promoting good nutrition for kids

he country’s policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition

TTNationalNutritionCouncil

NNC MANDATE

Oversee hunger mitigation program

Formulate national food and nutrition policies and strategies

Coordinate the national food and nutrition program

Advisory body on food fortification

Malnutrition still prevalent among Filipinos…

1. Protein-Energy Malnutrition2. Micronutrient Deficiencies3. Hunger4. Obesity5. Nutrition-related non-communicable

diseases

Nutrition Status

Underweight, 0-5 years 26.2%Underweight, 6-10 years 25.6%Underweight, 11-19 years 17.0%At-risk pregnant women 28.4%Underweight lactating women 13.1%Chronic energy deficient adults 11.6%

Source: 7th National Nutrition Survey, 2009, FNRI-DOST

Nutrition Status

Overweight, 0-5 years 2.0%Overweight, 6-10 years 1.6%Overweight, 11-19 years 4.6%Overweight adults 21.4%Obese adults 5.2%

Source: 7th National Nutrition Survey, 2009, FNRI-DOST

Nutrition Status

Anemia, overall 19.5%- Infants, 6-11 months 55.7%

- Pregnant women 42.5%

- Lactating women 31.4%

Vitamin A deficiency, children 40.1%Iodine deficiency, children 11.0%

Source: 7th National Nutrition Survey, 2009 and 6th NNS, 2003, FNRI-DOST

Micronutrient DeficiencyMicronutrient Causes Consequences

Iron • Low absorption of iron; presence of intestinal parasites; malaria

• Low intake of iron - rich foods

• Fatigue, reduced work capacity; poor cognitive development and school performance among children

Vitamin A • Low intake of animal foods, green leafy and yellow vegetables; yellow fruits

• Night blindness; poor growth; weak immunity to infection; death

Iodine • Low consumption of iodine - rich foods

• Frequent intake of foods with high levels of goitrogens

• Goiter, cretinism, mental and growth retardation, reduced IQ, deaf - mutism

1.Food fortification

2.Micronutrient supplementation

3.Dietary diversification

Micronutrient malnutrition interventions

Micronutrient malnutrition interventions

• Dietary diversification

• Food fortification

• Micronutrient supplementation

Food Fortification

• Involves addition of essential micronutrients to widely consumed food products at levels above the natural state

ASIN (RA 8172), 1995

“An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide”

• Mandates that all salt for human and animal consumption be iodized

• Food establishments and food manufacturers to use salt that is iodized

RA 8976 – Food Fortification Law, 2000

… mandatory the fortification of staples to address micronutrient deficiencies of the Filipino diet

… voluntary fortification of other processed food products

RA 8976

• Covers all imported and locally processed foods or food products for sale or distribution in the Philippines

• All manufacturers/producers, importers, traders, tollees, retailers, repackers of food products

Mandatory fortification of staples RA 8976

Flour+ vitamin A & iron

Sugar + vitamin A

+ ironrice

+ vitamin A

RA 8976

Diamond Seal • Staples that

pass fortification guidelines of the DOH

Status of Food Fortification Program

Mandatory fortification 119 brands of food staples with Diamond Seal

•44 oil products/brands

•55 flour products/brands

•9 rice products/brands

•9 salt products/brands

•2 sugar products/brands

RA 8976 Voluntary Fortification

Through the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program

Approved products are awarded the seal by DOH

Status of Food Fortification Program

Voluntary fortification

139 food products with Sangkap Pinoy Seal

Rule VIII: Implementation, Monitoring and Review

• DOH through Food and Drug Administration as the lead implementing and monitoring agency

• NNC as the advisory body that conducts periodic review or upon industry petition

Rule VIII: Implementation, Monitoring and Review

Agencies assisting FDA in monitoring compliance:1. Sugar Regulatory Administration for sugar2. National Food Authority for rice3. Philippine Coconut Authority for oil4. Bureau of Customs for imported products5. LGUs for markets and food service

establishments

Rule VIII: Implementation, Monitoring and Review

Implementation • FDA formulates monitoring protocolsReporting • Business establishments and importers

are required to submit annual reports on food fortification activities

• BOC reports all imported staples to FDA prior to release

Applying for SPS• Form IA• Documents needed:

– Valid BFAD License to Operate– Schematic diagram of manufacturing

process– Result of product analysis for fortificant– Shelf life study for fortificant stability– Proposed label with seal

Applying for SPS1. Submit form and requirements2. Evaluation of documents3. Payment of fees4. Plant inspection and evaluation5. Final evaluation based on plant visit and

review of documents6. Payment of non-refundable contract fee7. Awarding of Letter and Certificate of SPS

to applicant

Advantages of food fortification

• To food manufacturersa. Fortification adds value to the

product thereby, increasing demand

b. Helps promote good nutrition among its consumers

c. Improves image of company

Advantages of food fortification

• To the consumera. Value for moneyb. Improved nutrient intake from

consuming fortified foodsc. Food fortification seal provides

assurance of fortification

What are snack foods?• Meals eaten between main/regular

meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) to lessen or ease hunger between these meals

Snack foods• Chips• In foil packs

• Sandwiches• Fruits

A nutritious snack

Boiled banana, cassava, camote, corn, peanuts

Fresh fruits in season Sandwiches Add milk, fresh fruit juices

SNACKS

Snacks should not be more or equal to the amount of a regular meal

Snacks should be taken more than 2 hours before a regular meal

What are fortified snack foods?

• Food products with label that claim an additional nutrient/s was added to make it more nutritious

• Food products that bear the Sangkap Pinoy Seal

Food Fortification Program

Voluntary fortification

139 food products with Sangkap Pinoy Seal

• 17 noodles• 52 snack foods• 4 supplementary food

for infants• 10 biscuits• 10 breads and cereals• 6 sandwich spread• 9 cheese products

• 3 milk products• 4 chocolate drinks

and other products• 14 fruit drinks• 8 meat and fish

products• 2 condiments and

mixes

Upside of giving fortified snack foods to kids

• Provide micronutrients generally lacking in the average Filipino diet

• Cheap, sanitary packaged• Less perishable• Ready-to-eat• No preparations needed

Downside of giving fortified snack foods to kids

• Can be too fatty, salty and sweet for children (especially if consumed often and in large amounts)

• May cause obesity, dental caries, hypercholesterolemia

Fortified snack food

• High in sodium, fat

• Fortified with iron and vitamin A

• 1 cup = 160 calories

• Calories from fat = 100

Traditional snack food(ex. boiled

corn)• No added

salt/sodium and fats

• 1 piece = 100 calories

• More fiber

What is a healthy diet?

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, root crops & fat-free or low fat milk

• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, egg & nuts

• Is low in saturated, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) & added sugars

Teach the child “how to snack”

Choosing snacks

• Consider the food guide/pyramid for wise food choices

• Involve child in meal/snack planning and preparation– Encourage healthy snacking

To give or not to give…• Choose items/products with Sangkap

Pinoy Seal• Choose healthy

– Take note of fat, salt and sugar content– Take in moderation

• Should not replace main meals

What’s Important…• Eating a variety of

foods from each of the three food groups (GO, GROW, GLOW)