THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling malnutrition and stunting through widespread adoption of fortified foods, a top official said here yesterday during a national training for food fortification stakeholders.

Luitfrid Nnally, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services at the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), said the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting health of Tanzanians.

The four-day training was organized by Tanzania Food Fortification Alliance (TFFA) in partnership with the ministries in charge of industry and trade and health alongside Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) with support from UNICEF and the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI).

Nnally praised the Ministry of Industry and Trade for introducing laws mandating food fortification, calling it a critical move to ensure children and adults alike receive essential nutrients through staple foods.

He emphasized the importance of monitoring, calling on stakeholders to inspect factories, test raw materials and assess final products to ensure compliance.

“After training, we must ensure rigorous follow-up. Monitoring fortified food quality—from factories to users—is vital,” he said.

He also urged TFNC and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to use their labs to verify nutritional content and safety of fortified foods in line with national regulations.

Festo Kapela, Senior Trade Officer at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that new mandatory fortification regulations, launched on April 3, will standardize food production practices.

“In the past, enforcement was inconsistent. The new rules ensure all producers meet the same standards,” he said, urging participants to champion the cause.

“Nutrition affects not just health—it underpins productivity and national development. We call on the private sector to comply fully,” he added.

The regulations build on a 2022 agreement signed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and regional leaders to fortify staple foods such as wheat flour, maize flour and salt as part of a national strategy to reduce stunting and malnutrition.