Iron-enriched flour in Moroccan markets by end 2000

Flour enriched with iron and group B vitamins and cooking oil enriched with vitamins A and D will be available in Moroccan markets respectively by the end of 2000 and in the course of 2001.

The marketing of these products-- the first phase of a national program of fight against deficiency diseases-- will be preceded by an information campaign on nutrition.

Recent surveys conducted by the Health Ministry revealed an "alarming prevalence" of deficiencies in mineral and vitamin nutriments. Some 41% of children suffer from deficiency in vitamin A, and 9 pregnant women out of 10 are deficient in iron.