Objective: Simulating the probable impact of grain amaranth and highly absorbable, low-Fe micronutrient powder (MNP) on Fe status in a potential target population is an essential step in choosing and developing an appropriate actual intervention. Design: We simulated the potential effect of fortifying maize porridge with grain amaranth or MNP on the prevalence of inadequate Fe intake and Fe deficiency using data from two cross-sectional surveys. In the first survey (2008), dietary intake data were collected by two 24 h recalls (n 197). Biochemical data (n 70) were collected in the second survey (2010). A simulation with daily consumption for 80 d of non-fortified maize porridge (60 g of maize flour), amaranth-enriched porridge (80 g of grain amaranth-maize flour, 70:30 ratio) or maize porridge fortified with MNP (2?5 mg Fe as NaFeEDTA) was done. Setting: Mwingi District, Kenya. Subjects: Pre-school children aged 12-23 months. Results: Prevalence of anaemia, Fe deficiency and Fe-deficiency anaemia was 49 %, 46 % and 24 %, respectively. Consumption of non-fortified, amaranth-enriched and MNP-fortified maize porridge was estimated to provide a median daily Fe intake of 8?6 mg, 17?5 mg and 11?1 mg, respectively. The prevalence of inadequate Fe intake was reduced to 35 % in the amaranth-enriched porridge group and 45 % in the MNP-fortified porridge group, while ferritin concentration was increased in both (by 1?82 (95 % CI 1?42, 2?34) mg/l and 1?80 (95 % CI 1?40, 2?31) mg/l, respectively; P , 0?005) compared with the non-fortified maize porridge group, resulting in a decreased prevalence of Fe deficiency (27 %) in the two fortification groups. Conclusions: Addition of grain amaranth or low-Fe MNP to maize-based porridge has potential to improve Fe intake and status in pre-school children.