Does fortification present a trade barrier under current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and regulations?
Flour fortification specifications are essentially considered to be technical specifications. Other technical specifications include moisture content, protein content, amylase activity (Falling Number), and baking performance and quality tests (such as farinograph, extensograph and alveograph). Many different types of flours with different specifications are already in place in many regions and individual countries. The technical specifications have not prevented trade between countries as they are considered to be commercial specifications. Micronutrients being included as a technical specification would be no different. For example, flour fortification specifications and regulations exist in Canada and the United States, and there is considerable flow of flour trade between the two countries. In the case of Indonesia, flour fortification is mandatory and considerable imports from many countries must comply with the regulations. From a WTO viewpoint, countries may adopt mandatory meas
