WHA Draft Resolution on Safe and Effective Food Fortification

It is with great pleasure that IF announces that the Executive Board of the WHO has voted to put the draft resolution “Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida and other neural tube defects, through safe and effective food fortification” (Spanish here; French here) on the agenda of the seventy-sixth World Health Assembly. 

The draft resolution was sponsored by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, European Union and its 27 Member States, Israel, Malaysia and Paraguay. 

IF has been a vocal proponent for large scale food fortification with folic acid for decades and as a part of that advocacy has been working with partners for the past year to bring a strong resolution on food fortification for reducing the prevalence of Spina Bifida and other Neural Tube Defects to the WHO. The approval of the WHO Executive Board is an immense milestone in achieving that goal. 

This couldn’t have been possible without IF Members. IF Members play a vital role in the global advocacy of the SBH community. Advancement on the international level cannot be achieved without progress on the local and national level.

It is important to keep the momentum going and call on all WHO Member States to support the adoption of the draft resolution at the WHA in May. 

More information about IF’s advocacy on the draft resolution as well as resources for you to use in your organisation’s activities in the campaign. These are:

• IF social media toolkit: on the draft resolution (including key messages for you to share and links to additional resources)
• IF press release: WHA draft resolution “Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida and other neural tube defects, through safe and effective food fortification”

Join IF to raise awareness on the important topic of folic acid fortification and participate in this global momentum to promote and strengthen primary prevention of NDTs through food fortification.

How?

• Contact your national government representatives asking them to support the resolution at the next World Health Assembly. If you would like to receive individualised support and materials to assist you in contacting national representatives please contact IF at [email protected] 
• Share key social media messages with your network
• Cross promotion on your communication channels
• Co-sign the letter in support of the draft resolution

Contact the IF Team if you have any questions or require support with your activities at [email protected].