Fortified Rice for School Children in Cambodia

Rice fortification has been shown to be safe and effective in improving micronutrient status in many studies around the world. However, most studies have been done in Latin America, Africa and India. There are no studies available from Cambodia. Moreover, there is no data available on whether fortified rice can reduce the prevalence of anemia in school children in Cambodia, nor whether there will be additional benefits, such as better learning capability of school children or fewer days missed due to better health. To inform WFP, Cambodian policy and the public on the potential benefits of fortified rice on health and development for Cambodian school children, an intervention study will be conducted in Kampung Speu province during the 2012 - 2013 school year. The study will be conducted by IRD, PATH and WFP. Sixteen schools will be selected to receive either the normal rice provided by the WFP school meal program, or fortified rice instead of normal rice. Three (3) different types of fortified rice will be tested, to identify the best type of fortified rice. In addition, 4 schools with no school meal program will be selected to serve as control. School attendance and morbidity will be followed in all children in the participating schools over the whole school year. Biochemical indicators of micronutrient status will be determined in a subgroup of children (25% of the children), which requires collection of blood, urine and stool samples.