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The Manufacturing Industry Development Institute (Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center) on August 25, 2016 focused on the five-year strategic plan of the national food enrichment program (fortified flour, salt, and edible oil). The Minister of Industry, H.E. Melaku Alebel, said that the government is working to improve the welfare of citizens by supporting the manufacturing sector. He explained that the food enrichment program is one of the activities implemented to reduce and eliminate health problems related to nutrition. The ministry stated that malnutrition is one of the health problems that affects society and is also an obstacle to the development of the country's economy. Finally, the National Food Enrichment and the implementation of the Five-Year Strategy, which was launched today, is of great importance and requires the support of all stakeholders, coordination, and partner organizations, he said. On the other hand, the Minister of Health, Dr. Temple Daba, said that various plans are being implemented for the execution of health, food, and nutrition programs. He explained that the strategy is being worked on to reduce the problem of stunting from 35 percent to 25 percent and to decrease the rate of wasting from 10.8 to 7.8 points. He explained that malnutrition is the biggest health and development problem in Ethiopia.

Sixty-six percent of women are suffering from a shortage of nutrients needed to give birth. According to the study, 39 percent of infants have difficulty swallowing, and one in five children is deficient in folic acid. Ethiopia is facing an annual economic loss of more than $4.5 billion due to malnutrition, he said. The Director of the Research Center, His Excellency Mr. Bekele Mekuria, explained in detail that food enrichment (table salt, cooking oil, and wheat flour) is very important and its effects on children. Food fortification in our country is of great importance for the growth of the country's economy, he said. Ultimately, he said, it is about solving the problem of malnutrition and enabling children to become productive citizens. Today, a program for the commissioning of an edible oil plant with a production and enrichment capacity of 175 thousand liters per day was also held.