As many of the maternal and child health complications result from folic acid, iron, and iodine deficiencies; it makes sense to combat these simultaneously. We have developed cost‐effective technology to deliver these three micronutrients simultaneously through salt. Our goal was to retain at least 70% of the micronutrients during 6 months of storage. The fortified salt was formulated by spraying a solution that contained 2% iodine and 0.5% or 1% folic acid onto salt and adding encapsulated ferrous fumarate. The formulated triple fortified salt contained 1,000 ppm iron, 50 ppm iodine, and 12.5 or 25 ppm folic acid. The spray solution and the salt were stored for 2 and 6 months respectively at 25, 35, and 45 °C 60 to 70% relative humidity. Even at 45 °C, over 70% of both iodine and folic acid were retained in the salt. The best formulation based on the color of the salt and stability of iodine and folic acid contained 12.5 ppm folic acid, 50 ppm iodine, and 1,000 ppm iron. These results indicate that iron, iodine, and folic acid can be simultaneously delivered to a vulnerable population through salt using the technology described. Also, the quality control of the process can be developed around pteroic acid that was detected as a primary degradation product of folic acid. Practical Application The technology developed is already transferred to India for industrial scale up. When fully operational, the technology will simultaneously solve iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies in vulnerable populations at a very low cost.

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A process for simultaneous delivery of iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B 12 through salt as a potential and holistic approach to ameliorate anaemia and reduce maternal and infant mortality is presented. Two approaches for adding folic acid and B 12 to salt during double fortification with iron and iodine were investigated. Attempts to add both micronutrients through the iodine spray solution were unsuccessful. Hence, folic acid was added through a stabilized iodine solution, and B 12 was added through the iron premix. Four approaches used to incorporate B 12 into the iron premix were investigated: (1) co-extruding B 12 with iron, (2) spraying B 12 on the surface of the iron extrudate, (3) adding B 12 to the colour masking agent, and (4) adding B 12 to the outer coating. Of these approaches, coextrusion (1) was the best, based on the ease of production and stability of fortificants. The salt formulated with the solid iron-B 12 premix and sprayed iodine and folic acid solution contained 1000 ppm iron, 50 ppm iodine, 25 ppm folic acid, and 0.25 ppm B 12 . Over 98% of B 12 , 93% folic acid, and 94% iodine were retained after 6-month storage in the best formulation. This technology can simultaneously deliver iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B 12 in a safe and stable salt enabling public health measures for improved health at a minimal additional cost.

The addition of folic acid to Double Fortified Salt aims to ameliorate iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies in vulnerable populations. Folic acid was added either to the iodine spray solution or to the iron premix used to prepare salt fortified with iron and iodine. When added through the solution, sodium carbonate was needed to dissolve folic acid and to adjust pH. Alternately, folic acid was added either to the iron core or sandwiched between the core and the TiO2 layer of the ferrous fumarate premix. Folic acid and iodine were stable in all three cases, retaining more than 70% of the added micronutrients after six months at 45 oC/ 60-70% RH. Adding folic acid to the premix's iron core is preferred as folic acid retention was slightly higher, and the added folic acid did not impact a yellow colour to the salt. Folic acid in this salt was stable in cooking and did not affect selected cooked foods' sensory properties. The technology is a cost-effective approach for simultaneously combating iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies.

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