Milk and Dairy Lead the Fortification Drive

In Maharashtra’s evolving public health landscape, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognised that food safety alone is not enough.

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To deliver lasting health improvements, it is focusing on nutrition—specifically, the fortification of milk and dairy products, staples consumed daily by millions across the state.

Malnutrition persists in many parts of India despite economic growth and improved healthcare. Deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, and folic acid contribute to stunted growth, weakened immunity, and reduced cognitive development.

Milk and dairy products, deeply rooted in Maharashtra’s dietary habits, offer an effective means of addressing these gaps. Fortifying them with vitamins A and D—essential for bone health, vision, and immune function—can reach broad sections of the population without altering eating patterns.

The FDA's new initiative seeks to scale up fortification across milk, curd, and buttermilk, making nutrient-rich options widely available. Public health experts view this as a cost-effective approach that can deliver measurable improvements in nutrition at scale.