By Dr. Liji Thomas, MD Reviewed by Lauren Hardaker Mar 30 2026 Fortifying staple foods can dramatically reduce global nutrient deficiencies at minimal cost, but gaps persist, and the risk of excess intake underscores the need for smarter, more balanced nutrition strategies.  Study: Impact of large-scale food fortification programmes on micronutrient inadequacies and their implementation costs: a modelling analysis . Image credit: udra11/Shutterstock.com Expanded guideline-based food