Is my food Fortified?

In today’s food scene, the term “fortified” has become popular among health-conscious consumers. When food is fortified, essential vitamins and minerals are added to enhance its nutritional value, addressing common nutrient deficiencies. For example, fortified foods may include added vitamins like A and D, or minerals such as iron and calcium, which might not be present in sufficient quantities in their unfortified counterparts.

That’s why more and more people are turning to fortified food. You may have noticed this term popping up in supermarkets or departmental stores recently. Fortified foods are regular foods that have been enriched with extra vitamins and minerals—like vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, or calcium—that our bodies need but may not get enough of from regular meals.

Think of it this way: fortifying food means adding something extra that wasn’t there before but is essential for your health. It’s especially important for people who don’t get enough nutrients, which is a common problem in many developing countries, including Bangladesh. Women and children, in particular, often face nutritional deficiencies that can cause serious health issues.

When our body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, it can lead to problems like slow growth, poor mental development, weak immunity, and even more severe issues like anemia or vision loss. Many people in Bangladesh have been suffering from these challenges for years.

To tackle this, fortified foods have become more common in Bangladesh. These foods are designed to fight malnutrition and provide better nutrition for everyone, from low-income families to the wealthy. For example, fortified rice, enriched with vitamins A and iron, is now widely available. Cooking oils with added vitamins A and D are also very popular.

One company leading this effort is Grameen Danone. Since they started, they have been introducing fortified products to help improve nutrition in Bangladesh. Back in 2007, they launched their first fortified yogurt, Shokti Doi, which was made in their factory in northern Bangladesh. In 2020, they created the country’s first fortified biscuits for children. By 2022, they expanded further with more fortified products for the whole family.

In recent years, Grameen Danone has brought even more options to market. In 2022, they introduced new types of fortified biscuits, flavored yogurts for kids and adults, and even fortified soft drink powders. This continued into 2024, with the launch of fortified sour yogurt in single-serving cups. These products include essential nutrients like iron, which helps build healthy blood; iodine, which supports brain development; and zinc and vitamin A, which strengthen immunity and protect vision.

Grameen Danone’s mission is clear: to make sure everyone has access to affordable and nutritious food. By offering fortified products, they are helping fight malnutrition and improve the overall health of people across Bangladesh. Their journey is a reminder that small changes—like choosing fortified food—can make a big difference in our lives.