FORTIFY Information

Fortify’s mission is to reduce iron deficiency anemia (IDA) — the leading underlying cause of maternal mortality during childbirth — by driving innovation in food fortification. Fortify is an advocacy organization exclusively focused on finding the best ways to add iron to the family meal in developing countries where IDA is insidious and pervasive. Fortify works with food companies that have existing distribution channels to encourage them to help solve micronutrient malnutrition by adding iron to their tomato products. In much of Africa, tomato paste is part of the everyday meal, which makes it the ideal food vehicle for iron because tomatoes contain high levels of Vitamin C, a critical nutrient to boost iron absorption. To accomplish the mission and build awareness, Fortify collaborates with leading organizations, academic institutions and foundations dedicated to food, nutrition, health, and international development, and with government agencies. Fortify was founded in 2012 and incorporated after incubating at the prestigious University of Chicago Booth School of Business and winning seed funding at their Social New Venture Competition.