Coverage, Apparent Consumption, and Monthly Use of Packaged Maize Flour in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Introduction: Tanzania aimed to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and neural tube defects by introducing mandatory fortification of large-scale packaged wheat and maize flour but not for small- and medium-scale mills.

Objectives: Ascertain the proportion of the population in Morogoro region, Tanzania, that consumes packaged maize flour from small-, medium- and large-mills; and understand the impact of monthly apparent purchase and consumption of packaged flour.

Methods: In 2018, a regional, multistage cluster probability study was conducted among residents in Morogoro region living in households that reported consuming maize flour. Interviews collected information on sociodemographic factors and patterns of household flour consumption. Weighted medians estimated daily apparent flour consumption and the estimated average requirement (EAR), according to age.

Results: Information was collected on 711 households. Packaged maize flour was purchased 10-12 months of the year by 22.9% of households, 6-9 months by 17.6% of households, 1-5 months by 25.1% of households, and 34.4% did not purchased maize flour. Median apparent daily consumption of maize flour was 209.7 g/d/adult male equivalent (AME). Apparent median daily consumption of maize flour was 230.1 g/d/AME in rural areas and 176.2 g/d/AME in urban areas; 228.7 g/d/AME among males and 196.4 g/d/AME among females. If all packaged maize flour were fortified according to standards, those consuming packaged maize flour 10-12 months of the year would apparently consume 199.9 µg folic acid/d representing 49.7% of daily EAR requirements.

Conclusions: Fortifying packaged maize flour at small-, medium- and large-mills is a promising strategy for increasing access to micronutrients, including folic acid.