Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Food fortification is a public health strategy used to address widespread nutritional deficiencies in a population without requiring a change in dietary habits.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Definition: It is the process of deliberately adding micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to commonly consumed foods like salt, milk, rice, or flour.
2. Goal: To restore nutrients lost during processing or to add nutrients that may be lacking in the local diet to prevent diseases like goiter, anemia, or rickets.
3. Examples: Adding Iodine to salt (Iodized salt) or Vitamin A and D to milk/oil.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Food fortification is the enrichment of staple foods with extra nutrients to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply for the general public.