Welcome to Project IDEA (Iron Deficiency Elimination Action). Globally, more than one billion people have iron deficiency anemia, which makes it the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. ILSI-CHP is committed to helping the world combat iron deficiency anemia and believes now is the time for a singular focus on iron. Project IDEA was launched for this purpose. Project IDEA began in 1997 as a focused effort to reduce the global burden of iron deficiency through food fortification. Working in partnership with academia, government, industry, and the public sector, Project IDEA initiates feasible iron deficiency prevention and control strategies tailored to the industrial, environmental, and social factors in each country.
Iron fortification of food has been used successfully in industrialized countries for more than three decades and is generally regarded as the most cost-effective approach to prevent and control micronutrient deficiencies. Staple foods and condiments are good vehicles for food fortification because they are widely and frequently consumed. Project IDEA aims to identify iron compounds that have optimal iron bioavailability and demonstrated efficacy in improving iron status and works to promote their use in fortification programs. By reducing iron deficiency through fortification, ILSI can make a difference not just in individual lives but also in the productivity and health of entire nations. Objectives of Project IDEA include the following:
- Forge partnerships between private and public sectors to combat iron deficiency.
- Assess needs of target communities and population groups.
- Identify appropriate food vehicles and iron fortificants in each country.
- Secure funding for country-specific programs.
- Evaluate impact of iron fortification on iron status of the population.
- Promote educational programs to raise consumer awareness.
- Develop ongoing monitoring and surveillance system.
- Project IDEA staff work with a Scientific Advisory Committee that consists of many experts in iron nutrition nationally and internationally.