Factors influencing the implementation of food fortification regulation among small and medium-scale corn millers in Dar es Salaam Tanzania: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to explore factors influencing the implementation of food fortification regulation among corn millers in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania among purposely interviewed corn millers. In-depth interviews conducted with nine corn millers were analysed using thematic analysis with the aid of N-Vivo software version 12.

Results: The implementation of food fortification regulation among corn millers is influenced by access to knowledge and the right information, lack of consumers' awareness, zero costs for the fortification of corn flour, and lack of punitive measures for non-compliance to the regulation.

Conclusion and recommendations: Laxity in implementing food fortification as an important population-wide approach in addressing micronutrient deficiency is evident in Tanzania. This is triggered by non-punitive measures for non-compliance of the regulation among micro, small and medium-scale corn millers. Strengthening efforts to identify and implement measures against non-compliers, demand creation for fortified products through educational and advocacy interventions, and supportive supervision can help reach more than 90% of the population with fortified corn flour in Tanzania.