Global fortification: navigating evolving regulations and industry opportunities

Food fortification continues to play a central role in public health strategies worldwide, as governments work to address micronutrient deficiencies and respond to shifting population needs. At the same time, regulatory requirements governing fortification are evolving, creating a complex environment for food and drink businesses operating across multiple markets.

Understanding how fortification is regulated, where change is occurring, and what this means for product development and labelling is essential for staying compliant and competitive.

A diverse regulatory landscape: mandatory versus voluntary fortification

Approaches to food fortification vary considerably between regions. In many low and middle income countries, mandatory fortification can be a key part of national nutrition programmes. These requirements typically focus on staple foods such as wheat flour, maize flour, salt and milk, with nutrients selected to address region specific deficiencies.

Examples include:

• Latin America and Africa: Comprehensive mandatory fortification programmes for wheat flour and salt
• India: Fortification of salt with iodine is mandatory, and iron can also be added, to address national nutritional needs
• South Africa: Wheat flour must contain eight specific nutrients, including iron and folic acid

Meanwhile, voluntary fortification dominates in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, where manufacturers typically fortify products to differentiate from competitors and to meet consumer expectations for added nutritional benefits. Although voluntary, the regulatory requirements still strictly define:

• Which nutrients and chemical forms are permitted
• Any upper or lower limits
• Requirements for claims and labelling

For companies operating globally, navigating the interplay between mandatory and voluntary approaches is increasingly challenging.

Emerging trends and upcoming regulatory changes

Governments are re-evaluating fortification policies in light of evolving health priorities, updated scientific assessments and global movement towards risk-based regulation. Several significant changes are underway across key markets:

• Colombia: Draft decrees propose expanding mandatory fortification to rice and maize flour
• China: A new draft standard introduces a more structured framework for voluntary fortification
• European Union: Work is progressing on setting maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in fortified foods based on updated EFSA tolerable upper intake levels
• Israel: Mandatory iodine fortification of salt is under discussion, alongside plans to align fortification rules with EU requirements by 2028

These developments highlight the need for food businesses to maintain proactive, ongoing regulatory monitoring.

What food businesses need to do now

As fortification policies evolve, food and drink manufacturers should take practical steps to stay ahead of change:

• Monitor developments across key markets, especially where mandatory fortification is expanding
• Review product formulations to ensure nutrient levels and chemical forms comply with local requirements
• Evaluate current labels, checking that mandatory statements and conditions for fortified foods are correctly applied
• Prepare for incoming changes, such as the UK folic acid mandate and the EU’s work on maximum levels

Taking a forward looking approach reduces the risk of non compliance, avoids disruption to market access, and helps ensure product portfolios remain fit for purpose in a shifting regulatory environment.

Further insight for members

Leatherhead Food Research members can access a detailed country by country analysis, along with practical compliance guidance, in the latest Regulatory Insight Report: Global Fortification.

Members who have selected the report as part of their membership are invited to join our complimentary webinar on 28 January 2026, where our global regulatory experts will explore these developments in more detail and respond to member questions live. Reach out to our team at [email protected] to register to attend the webinar.

A reminder: Only Nominated Representatives can select the appropriate Regulatory Insight Reports for their organisation.