Can you considered vitango as a fortified food is ethical and socially responsible?

Answer 1

Food fortification is a complex issue, and the Vitango product developed by Coca Cola, as well as similar fruit flavoured beverages prepared by Proctor and Gamble, provide an interesting ethical debate. Micronutrient deficiencies are real, and prevalent, affecting over 2 billion people worldwide. Coca Cola, as part of a portfolio of social responsability, has responded by developing a food vehicle, or a delivery mechanism for increasing vitamin and mineral intake in certain populations (in this case, most likely children). Whether this product should be sold to make a profit is, I am certain, part of your dilemma. Should the most vulnerable in global society be required to pay for a means to alleviate their deficiencies? If Vitango is being produced and sold for profit, versus on a cost-recovery basis, while Coca Cola is making steep profits across its product portfolio may be considered questionable practice. In most countries, nutrition supplements are available for a cost, and in many ways, this could be considered just another supplement. Consumers are free to choose their food options, and spend their money as they choose, so why not purchase a fortified drink over empty calories? Should a sugary drink be the great panacea for micronutrient deficiency? Ideally one should get all the nutrients needed from a natural diet. Ideally one could get all the necessary nutrients from the diet, however in many regions of the world, for various reasons, including culture, economics, conflict, and others, food security is limited. While the benefits of eating natural foods far outweigh the use of supplements and fortified products, sometimes these choices are not available, or not feasible. Giving more options for improving health (in the case of Vitango, iron and zinc status in particular), may make it worth using. The dilema from a nutrition standpoint besides empty calories, is that many supplements or other fortified food products must be universally distributed, and accessible. The costs of this distribution are prohibitive for many nutrition and public health organizations. However, it is incredible, the universal distribution capacity of Coca Cola. Distribution of fortified foods through commercial means, rather than merely relying on intervention from the health system has major practicalities. Food fortification has nearly erradicated most nutrient deficiencies in developed countries, and given choice of appropriate food vehicles, may also greatly improve public health. Addressing micronutrient deficiency is a major concern, and requires a variety of strategies. In an ideal world, it would be done by improving dietary diversity, and access to a high quality, secure, affordable and consistent food supply. While these issues are being dealt with, people are suffering that need practical solutions that can work in the very short term.