Fortification is a public-health strategy with a long track record. Classic examples include iodine in salt, vitamin D and calcium in milk, folic acid in wheat flour, and iron in breakfast cereals. India’s FSSAI mandates fortification of several staple foods including salt, oil, wheat flour, rice, and milk under the “+F” logo programme.
Fortification addresses deficiencies at scale without requiring behaviour change. It is particularly valuable for nutrients difficult to obtain from typical diets — such as vitamin D in populations with limited sun exposure, or B12 in vegetarian communities.
Fortified foods are not nutritional equivalents of whole foods and should complement, not replace, a varied diet. For people with absorption issues or very high requirements (pregnancy, diagnosed deficiency), targeted supplementation under medical guidance may be needed alongside fortified foods.