Research: Food Fortification Could Triple Impact on Nutrition

Study finds expanding and improving food fortification programs could prevent 25 billion nutrient gaps annually at modest cost

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:44am

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A new study published in The Lancet Global Health provides the first-ever comprehensive global analysis of the cost and impact of food fortification. The research found that large-scale food fortification - adding essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods like flour, rice, oil, and salt - currently prevents approximately 7 billion nutrient gaps worldwide each year at a cost of just 18 cents per person. However, the study also revealed that improving and expanding fortification programs could triple the impact to prevent 25 billion nutrient gaps every year.

Why it matters

High food costs and persistent poverty continue to keep nutritious diets out of reach for billions worldwide, leading to micronutrient deficiencies that are linked to poor health, increased risk of disease, and poor cognitive development. Food fortification offers a powerful and cost-effective solution to this public health challenge, but the full potential of these programs remains untapped.

The details

The study, led by researchers at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) with collaborators from the University of California, World Bank, and Tufts University, modeled the impact of fortification across 185 countries. It examined six scenarios ranging from no fortification to optimized global programs, which includes expanded coverage in high-need countries combined with improved standards and compliance. The researchers found that improving compliance with existing standards to 90% could prevent an additional 6.1 billion nutrient gaps at a cost of $0.23 per person annually. Aligning national standards with World Health Organization guidelines while improving compliance could prevent 10.3 billion additional nutrient gaps at $0.63 per person. And expanding programs to high-need countries with appropriate food vehicles - combined with improved standards and compliance - could prevent 17.7 billion additional nutrient gaps at $1.15 per person.

  • The study was published on March 26, 2026.

The players

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

A global organization dedicated to improving nutrition and public health through food fortification and other interventions.

Dr. Mduduzi Mbuya

Director of Knowledge Leadership at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and co-author of the study.

Dr. Christopher Free

A Research Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara and joint first author of the study.

Florencia Vasta

The global lead for large-scale food fortification at GAIN.

Meetu Kapur

Nutrition Director at the Gates Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“This research confirms that food fortification is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available.”

— Dr. Mduduzi Mbuya, Director of Knowledge Leadership at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

“Although many countries require food processors to fortify staple foods, compliance is often low. Improving compliance with current laws could prevent 6.1 billion more nutrient gaps at an additional cost of only $0.05 a person.”

— Dr. Christopher Free, Research Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara

“Fortification is a powerful tool, but it is most effective as part of a comprehensive strategy. Achieving optimal nutrition for everyone will require parallel investments in dietary diversity, supplementation for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and young children and making healthy diets more affordable and accessible.”

— Florencia Vasta, Global lead for large-scale food fortification at GAIN

“Food fortification is a global health success story hiding in plain sight. This landmark study provides the first comprehensive global evidence on what large scale fortification costs—and what it delivers. With new products emerging from the innovation pipeline, the data show we could triple impact and reach millions more people with the essential nutrients they need to survive and thrive.”

— Meetu Kapur, Nutrition Director at the Gates Foundation

What’s next

Policymakers can act immediately to enforce existing fortification standards, align them with global guidelines, and expand programs to high need countries. Private sector partners can strengthen compliance and transparency. Donors can fund monitoring and enforcement systems.

The takeaway

This study provides compelling evidence that food fortification is a highly cost-effective public health intervention that deserves significantly increased investment and enforcement. By improving compliance with existing standards and expanding programs to high-need regions, the impact of food fortification could be tripled, preventing billions of nutrient deficiencies and delivering substantial health and economic benefits globally.