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One area of divergence emerging in this discussion related to the possible view of consumers in Cambodia that fortified foods are associated with poverty. This is related to the country experience with malnutrition and poverty in the past. This may present challenges in marketing fortified foods in the country as it rises in income status and moves away from Least Developed Country status. The solution to this appears to be in promoting healthy lifestyles including healthy foods and fitness where fortified foods can be more appealing to consumers. Independent evidence will be important in esta... Read moreblishing the basis for any health claims for fortified foods. Read less

1. Plans in place for follow-up dialogues 2. WFP and NSCFF to coordinate efforts for future dialogue events with IFC and Cambodian Rice Federation with support from HE Silo of CARD as convenor of National Dialogues 3. Private sector involvement in dialogues (both national and international) will be widely encouraged 4.Focus on good health and nutrition as the benefit of fortification under a market based-approach

Rice will be the main commodity for food fortification efforts by the institutions concerned in Cambodia but the efforts to promote food fortification will go beyond rice to look at rice-based products and other types of products as well. The points raised in this dialogue will be the basis for discussion in the following dialogues on this topic and for actions to be taken in the after the workshop. This will include gathering existing information on which micro-nutrients should be included in food fortification or promoting research into this topic. Examining evidence from Cambodia and other ... Read morecountries to determine the factors contributing to success for market based approaches to food fortification. These topics will ensure there is a clear plan for dialogue in any workshops to follow. The characteristics of the rice supply chains in Cambodia including multiple, small-scale processors, mobile millers and local chains make it very difficult to introduce fortification, to regulate the activities or to make fortification in any way compulsory. A market approached based on an aspirational product contributing to good health appears the most likely approach to success for commercial fortification of rice, outside of the provision of fortified rice as part of social assistance measures. It is very useful to listen to successful entrepreneurs like the Director of Ly Ly foods who have experience in micro-nutrient fortification and the sale of healthy alternative snack foods. There are other examples, including an instant noodle manufacturer (exported product) keen to explore nutrient fortification of noodles for the local and export .market. WFP will help to progress dialogues for food fortification working closely with the National Sub Committee for Food Fortification (NSCFF). Two separate dialogue topics are planned to cover both the creation of an enabling environment for small to medium scale processors and secondly for exploration of the operational issues for the processors. A further event is planned and will be led by IFC in the first week of April with additional interest from international private sector representatives to join the dialogue. Read less

The focus of this discussion was on access to safe and nutritious food for all and the shift to sustainable consumption patters. The discussion considered how food fortification can serve both as a cheap and effective measure for providing access to nutritious diet and as an attractive product in the eyes of health conscious consumers. The discussion recognised that the use of food fortification as a means of providing a social safety net may stygmatise fortified foods in the market place, and that there were some key challenges for expanding on food fortification in Cambodia especially in rel... Read moreation to rice as the staple food with a very large number of short localised supply chains and local processing. The meeting considered some of these challenges, the need for a supportive regulatory environment, and technical issues for food processors. Successful strategies for food fortification in Cambodia and other countries was also discussed. Read less