Introduction

Food fortification is a crucial strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries. This study explores and compares the policy frameworks, implementation mechanisms, and impacts of food fortification in the food processing sectors of Malawi and Mozambique.

Objective

The main objective of the study was to analyse the role of documented policies on food fortification in food processing and value addition.

Methodology

Through a qualitative comparative analysis, data was collected from government documents, policy briefs, a systematic review of existing literature and stakeholder interviews to assess how national fortification policies influence industry compliance, product availability, and public health outcomes.

Results and conclusions

The findings reveal that while both countries have adopted mandatory fortification policies for staple foods (maize flour, wheat flour, rice, salt, sugar and cooking oil), the fortification agenda has not achieved its full potential. The key issues that were highlighted include high production costs, lack of technical knowledge and expertise, equipment limitations, quality control issues, lack of coordination, regulatory compliance, limited access to fortified raw materials and insufficient government support. Malawi's mandatory fortification policy, established in 2011, demonstrates higher compliance rates in large-scale commercial processing, supported by robust monitoring mechanisms and public-private partnerships. However, the policy shows limited reach into informal food processing sectors that serve rural populations. Conversely, Mozambique's more recent voluntary fortification guidelines, implemented in 2017, exhibit lower overall compliance but demonstrate greater flexibility in accommodating small and medium-scale processors, potentially offering broader population coverage. Recommendations offered included monitoring quality and reporting, focus on results-based implementation, stakeholder and community engagement and awareness, greater support and incentives to the food fortification industries, and reduction of bureaucratic processes.

The study highlights the role of policy design, governance, and cross-sector collaboration in the fortification initiative. This contributes to the discourse on food policy and nutrition security in both Malawi and Mozambique.

Keywords: Fortification, Malawi, Mozambique, Policies