Food fuels our bodies and connects us to culture, livelihoods, and the environment. However, today’s food systems contribute to pressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising diet-related diseases. Humanity’s food consumption drives one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and three-quarters of biodiversity loss, while unhealthy diets are a leading cause of non-communicable diseases. At the same time, 3 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, and more than 700 million remain food insecure.   

To achieve healthier, more sustainable food systems, we need a shift in dietary patterns and targeted interventions that improve nutrition while reducing environmental impacts. Food fortification is an important solution that can bridge micronutrient gaps and enhance global food and nutrition security. 

Tackling Hidden Hunger Through Fortification 

Micronutrient deficiencies – also known as hidden hunger – affect billions worldwide, leading to poor health outcomes, reduced productivity, and increased healthcare costs. Food fortification is a proven, cost-effective solution to enhance food and nutrition security at scale. Yet, despite its potential, businesses face complex challenges in accelerating fortification efforts. 

This playbook, co-developed with Eat Well Global, offers businesses a holistic approach to overcoming challenges and implementing effective fortification strategies, while also serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, NGOs, and other stakeholders working to improve nutrition security. It outlines critical success factors, barriers, enablers, and activation strategies to drive impactful and sustainable fortification initiatives. 

Take Action 

Creating lasting impact requires collaboration across the value chain. This playbook provides a starting point and best practices for businesses and other stakeholders looking to drive effective fortification initiatives. By working together, we can make fortified foods more accessible and impactful, contributing to healthier food systems worldwide.   

Download the playbook now and support efforts to improve food and nutrition security through fortification. 

What you will find in the playbook 

• Foundations for effective fortification: Data-driven strategies to identify priority nutrients, select appropriate food vehicles, and ensure consumer adoption. 

• Barriers to scale: Addressing cost constraints, policy fragmentation, and consumer awareness gaps. 

• Enablers for success: Multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy and regulatory alignment, and industry leadership. 

• Activation strategies: Effective communication, consumer engagement, and capacity-building to sustain long-term fortification efforts. 

For more information about this playbook, please contact the Healthy & Sustainable Diets team.