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India's Anaemia Fight: Experts Warn of Costly Fortification Schemes
15 Nov
Summary
- Experts caution against new interventions without sufficient evidence.
- Anaemia data remains unavailable since the 2019-21 NFHS survey.
- Tamil Nadu's DFS program showed limited success in reducing anaemia.
Public health experts are urging caution regarding India's push for double fortification of salt (DFS) with iron and iodine, stressing the need for adequate evidence before implementing new anaemia interventions.
As of November 15, 2026, national anaemia prevalence data is still pending public release. The Diet and Biomarkers Survey of India (DABS-I), completed in 2025, utilized venous blood samples, considered a gold standard, yet its analysis is ongoing, leaving a data void since the 2019-21 NFHS survey.
Past DFS initiatives, such as those in Tamil Nadu since 2004, have shown limited success, with over 50% of children and women remaining anaemic according to NFHS surveys. Similar programs in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have also yielded mixed results, with some studies indicating no significant reduction in anaemia prevalence despite reported high uptake.
Experts argue that anaemia has multiple causes beyond iron deficiency, including infections and genetic factors. They critique large-scale fortification programs as potentially wasteful and advocate for localized, evidence-backed interventions, emphasizing the need to address broader issues like food availability and affordability instead of solely relying on fortification.
