2/21/2000 - 2/24/2000
Contact: ILSI Southeast Asia Staff
ILSI Southeast Asia and Project Iron Deficiency Elimination Action (IDEA) collaborated with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Micronutrient Initiative (MI) to organize the Food Fortification Policy Forum in the Philippines. The forum identified key issues and defined appropriate actions to expand food fortification programs through effective multi-sectoral collaboration. A key result was the Consensus Statement of the Manila Forum outlining a set of principles, strategies, and actions for the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition in the Asia-Pacific region. A Regional Core Group comprising ADB, ILSI, the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and national fortification focal points from the eight participating countries (Peoples Republic of China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) will formulate an action plan to promote harmonization of standards, regulations and guidelines for the fortification of selected staples, complementary foods and condiments.