Kenya’s food processing industry is strengthening food fortification standards in an effort to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve the nutritional quality of everyday products consumed by millions of people across the country.
The renewed commitment follows the expansion of the Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI), which now brings together 32 food processing companies representing 144 brands, with products estimated to reach 45 million Kenyans daily.
The 2026 index covers maize flour, wheat flour and edible oils, which are among the commonly consumed food products in Kenyan households.
Since its introduction in 2022, the initiative has recorded significant growth, increasing from five participating companies representing 41 brands to the current 32 companies and 144 brands. The expansion reflects growing industry participation in promoting food quality, safety and nutritional standards.
The initiative comes amid concerns over micronutrient deficiencies, commonly known as hidden hunger, which occur when people consume enough food but fail to obtain essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth and development.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, 18 per cent of children under five are stunted, four per cent experience wasting, while 11 per cent are underweight.
Other national nutrition data cited by the programme indicate that approximately 42 per cent of pregnant women experience anaemia, while nearly one in three women suffer from folate deficiency. Zinc deficiency also remains a concern, affecting an estimated 82 per cent of children under five.
Food fortification involves adding essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin A and B vitamins to commonly consumed foods during processing. The approach helps improve nutrient intake among consumers and can reduce the risk of health complications associated with nutritional deficiencies when combined with a balanced diet.
Speaking during the 2026 KMFI Awards held in Thika, Cereal Millers Association (CMA) Chief Executive Officer Paloma Fernandes said greater industry ownership would be essential in sustaining the progress achieved through the initiative.
Fernandes said the transition towards private sector ownership was intended to encourage processors to invest in the programme, shape its future and maintain its activities beyond the initial programme support.
She added that investments in food safety and fortification could strengthen consumer confidence while creating market opportunities for processors committed to responsible production practices.
Millers for Nutrition Global Programme Director Rizwan Yusufali said the growth of the index demonstrated increasing industry commitment to improving food fortification and quality assurance systems.
He noted that combining operational assessments with independent laboratory testing provided a credible mechanism for measuring progress and building public trust in fortified products.
At the awards, Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd – Mombasa and Unga Limited emerged joint top performers in the large-scale maize and wheat flour category.
United Millers and Baraka Flour Mills led the medium-scale category, while Spice World Ltd was recognised as the leading small-scale processor.
In the edible oils category, Kapa Oil Refineries Limited secured first position, followed by Pwani Oil Ltd and Vipingo Industries Ltd.
Organised by CMA in partnership with TechnoServe and Millers for Nutrition, the KMFI provides participating companies with a structured framework for assessing compliance with food fortification and quality assurance requirements.
The assessment allocates 50 per cent of the overall score to operational processes, including staff training, raw material procurement, production controls, governance and consumer engagement. The remaining 50 per cent is determined through independent laboratory testing of micronutrient levels and product safety.
Beyond recognising high-performing processors, the index identifies weaknesses requiring improvement and encourages businesses to invest in stronger quality assurance systems.
The initiative is expected to strengthen accountability across Kenya’s food processing industry and support efforts to ensure millions of consumers have access to safer and more nutritious everyday food products.