The Micronutrient Forum (MNForum) is delighted to announce the launch of the Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx), a new online platform which provides unparalleled access to critical data, all in one place, as well as tools to aid in analysis and visualization.
The GFDx can be viewed at www.FortificationData.org
The result of a year-long collaboration between the MNForum, the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), the GFDx represents a significant step forward in the effort to improve the availability, stewardship and presentation of fortification data.
Micronutrient deficiencies affect 2 billion people globally – impacting their health, and limiting their ability to contribute to the economic well-being of their communities and countries.
Food fortification is one of the most scalable, sustainable and cost-effective tools to combat malnutrition.
Yet data coverage on this innovative and proven solution is uneven.
The Global Fortification Data Exchange provides a one-stop source of quality data for decision-makers. It aggregates and visualizes data on country legislation, fortification standards and consumption of staple foods, to support policies and programs for reaching affected populations with complementary, effective fortification programs.
It is designed to provide governments, donors, implementing agencies and other members of the nutrition community with answers to pressing questions, including:What foods are fortified with micronutrients to support population health in your home country? How much of those foods are consumed?
- What are the legislative standards for micronutrient fortification of foods in a given country?
- How has fortification legislation changed over time, and for which foods?
- GDFx makes existing datasets open, discoverable and understandable.
From non-profits to government to private industry, a broad range of actors must come together for fortification programs to be successful. As more countries begin to adopt food fortification programs, these stakeholders have raised a call for improved reporting and greater data accountability and accessibility to inform program refinements, launch new initiatives, and identify populations and geographies in need. This call was formalized in the 2015 Arusha Statement on Food Fortification.
The Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) answers this global call.
Please visit us at http://www.FortificationData.org to learn more about the goals of GFDx and see for yourself how powerful fortification data can be to support impactful decision-making. You can also sign up to the GFDx to receive news and updates as more indicators and new datasets are added.
Join the MN Forum, and our partners, in sharing this great news on social media, and with your networks!
Use the hashtags #GDFx and #NutritionData.
Retweet the news from any of our Twitter feeds:
@MNForum
@FFINetwork
@IodineGlobal
@GAINalliance
Feel free to use these sample tweets for your own messages:
.@FFINetwork @GAINalliance @MNForum @IodineGlobal are harnessing the power of #NutritionData to ↓ #malnutrition www.fortificationdata.org/ #GFDx
Data transparency can drive better outcomes for communities affected by the #HiddenHunger problem #GFDx www.fortificationdata.org/
#FoodFortification is a proven, easily-scaled solution to address #hiddenhunger. Find out the latest data #GFDx www.fortificationdata.org/
Governments, NGOs & others need better data to inform #foodfortification programs. #GFDx is filling that need www.fortificationdata.org/
87 countries now require #fortification of staple foods with essential #micronutrients. #GFDx #NutritionData www.fortificationdata.org/
Food intake differs widely by country. The #GFDx illustrates which foods make strong candidates for fortification www.fortificationdata.org/
