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Indian food-fortification journey entering more mature phase
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Tuesday, 21 July, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
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India’s food-fortification journey is entering a more mature phase, with staple food fortification continuing to serve as one of the most effective and scalable approaches to addressing hidden hunger, according to Prashant Nagre, Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech
The next phase must build on this foundation by strengthening the wider ecosystem around fortification; bringing together science, regulation, manufacturing capability, quality assurance, affordability and consumer trust to ensure consistent nutritional impact at scale., he added.
Stating that fortification remains one of the most practical ways to improve micronutrient intake at population scale, Nagre said that this because it works through foods that people already consume. However, its success depends on much more than adding a vitamin or mineral to a product. The nutrient must remain stable during processing and storage, disperse uniformly in the chosen food matrix and reach the consumer in the intended quantity without affecting taste, appearance or overall product quality.
“Food fortification succeeds when it moves beyond intent and delivers sustained nutritional impact through the right food vehicles, consistent quality and an affordable model that can operate at scale,” Nagre, told FNB News in an email.
The next stage of growth will require stronger application-led research. Different food vehicles present different technical requirements. A nutrient used in edible oil may behave differently in milk, flour, rice, beverages or dietary supplements. This makes formulation expertise, stability studies, pilot-scale trials and robust analytical testing essential before solutions are taken to market, he said.
Greater collaboration will also be critical. Government institutions, food manufacturers, ingredient companies, academic bodies, testing laboratories and healthcare stakeholders must work together to identify nutritional priorities and translate them into technically sound and commercially viable products. Industry–academia platforms and centres dedicated to food fortification can help bridge the gap between research and industrial implementation through training, testing, pilot development and knowledge sharing, pointed out the Managing Director of Fermenta.
“Fortification cannot be approached as an isolated ingredient exercise. It requires the entire value chain; from nutrient development and premix manufacturing to food processing, testing, distribution and consumer communication, to work together,” Nagre said.
It is here domestic innovation will play an equally important role. India has an opportunity to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities, improve supply-chain resilience and develop micronutrient solutions suited to the dietary preferences and commercial realities of the Indian market, he said.
Emerging ingredient technologies can also expand the choices available to food and nutrition companies. For example, the recent FSSAI approval for Fermenta’s ‘Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) - Plant Source’ (VITADEE Green) introduces an additional option for manufacturers exploring vegetarian, plant-based and sustainability-led formulations. While fortification must remain driven primarily by nutritional need and scientific suitability, innovations such as plant-source Vitamin D3 demonstrate how ingredient development can evolve alongside changing consumer expectations.
“New-generation ingredients must combine nutritional relevance with regulatory acceptance, traceability, quality consistency and the ability to scale. Plant-source Vitamin D3 is one example of how innovation can broaden formulation choices without losing sight of these fundamentals,” said Nagre.
Consumer communication will remain central to the future of fortification. Clear labelling, responsible claims and greater awareness are necessary to build confidence and ensure fortified foods are understood as part of a broader nutrition strategy, alongside balanced diets, lifestyle interventions and appropriate medical guidance.
India already has the scientific talent, manufacturing base and regulatory framework required to become a leading hub for food-fortification solutions. The next step is to convert these strengths into reliable, accessible and application-ready products that deliver meaningful nutritional value at scale, said Nagre.
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