Anemia: a global crisis demanding to be SEEN

Summary 

• Globally, one in three women aged 15–49 is affected by anemia. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most widespread type of anemia, mainly impacting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls and women.
• The world is off track to halve anemia by 2030. Without urgent action, the consequences will ripple across generations, especially women and children bearing the brunt.
• To reduce anemia at scale, we need nutritional solutions targeting those most at risk for nutrient deficiencies. Raising awareness, driving access, and acting on proven interventions are key to changing the trajectory of this global health challenge.

Tackling anemia: a silent global burden

Anemia is one of the most widespread yet under-recognized health challenges in the world. At its core, it’s a condition where the blood struggles to carry enough oxygen, usually due to a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin. The numbers are hard to ignore, in 2019 alone, anemia was responsible for 50 million years of healthy life lost. Understanding and addressing it is crucial, not just to manage symptoms, but to uncover the root of the issue and restore health from the inside out.

An estimated one in three women aged 15–49 worldwide is affected by anemia. Despite global efforts, the world remains off track to meet the 2030 target of reducing anemia by 50%. The consequences are long-term for women, children and propagated into future generations. That’s why dsm-firmenich is stepping up with science-backed, scalable solutions, partnering with organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme to bring essential nutrition to those who need it most. 

In this blog, we explore how dsm-firmenich is helping address anemia through science-backed solutions¹ like Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), fortified kernels, and large-scale food fortification, and why these nutritional solutions are key to unlocking stronger, healthier futures for millions.

Causes and consequences of iron deficiency

Iron may be a trace mineral, but its role in the body is anything but minor. It’s essential for producing hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When iron levels drop, so does the body’s ability to function at full capacity. Diets low in iron-rich foods, poor absorption in the gut, or chronic blood loss (like heavy periods or internal bleeding) can all quietly drain the body’s iron stores. Add in high-demand situations like pregnancy, growth spurts in children, or intense physical activity, and the need for iron only increases. When the supply doesn’t meet the demand, the consequences are serious: fatigue, brain fog, weaker immunity, and in pregnant women, an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and even maternal mortality. Children under five and pregnant women are especially vulnerable, making early intervention and prevention critical.

Making nutrition work for anemia

When it comes to fighting anemia, nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have, and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) is a proven part of the solution. MMS provides a tailored blend of essential vitamins and minerals, typically in tablet or powder form. Unlike iron–folic acid (IFA) alone, MMS includes a broader spectrum of nutrients like vitamin A, zinc, and vitamin C, supporting immunity and overall health, especially in pregnant women and young children.

MMS is especially effective for populations with high nutritional needs or limited access to diverse diets. It’s commonly used to support women during pregnancy, when the demand for iron and folic acid spikes to produce healthy red blood cells and reduce risks like low birth weight and maternal complications. At dsm-firmenich, giving access to MMS is central to our mission. From supporting local production and sharing expertise to partnering with governments, NGOs, and UN agencies, we work to scale cost-effective nutrition solutions, especially in underserved regions. The goal is simple: turn nutrition science into real-world impact. 

Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) offers another powerful approach. It enhances everyday staples, like flour, oil, salt, and rice, with essential nutrients during processing. Without requiring any change in eating habits, LSFF helps deliver iron, folic acid, vitamin A, and iodine to entire populations. Iron-fortified foods have been shown to raise hemoglobin levels, reduce anemia, and support healthy growth, especially in children and women of reproductive age. In India, fortified rice now reaches over 800 million people through public distribution. With a benefit-cost ratio ranging from 1:6 to 1:36, LSFF is also a smart investment. But its success depends on strong systems, including quality control, regulatory enforcement, and equitable access. UNICEF and the OECD both stress the importance of integrating fortification into broader food systems to ensure reach and reliability. By scaling up MMS and LSFF, we can help close nutrition gaps and build stronger, healthier communities, one smart solution at a time. 

The impact of fortified kernels

In many parts of the world, rice isn’t just a meal, it’s a daily staple. But for millions who rely on rice as a primary food source, this simplicity comes at a cost: diets built around plain white rice often lack the essential micronutrients needed for healthy development and resilience. That’s where Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs) come in, a smart, targeted sub-strategy of large-scale food fortification.

FRKs are rice-shaped grains enriched with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and other vital nutrients. These fortified kernels are blended with regular rice, providing a seamless and effective way to increase daily micronutrient intake without changing eating habits. It’s a particularly valuable approach in areas where rice isn’t processed centrally like wheat or maize, making traditional fortification methods less viable. 

The impact is clear: consuming iron-fortified rice has been shown to reduce the risk of iron deficiency by up to 35% and raise average hemoglobin levels. In a study supported by dsm-firmenich, migrant construction workers in Singapore who consumed fortified rice experienced measurable improvements in iron, folate, vitamin B12, and zinc levels, nutrients essential for energy, focus, and physical performance. The findings underscore the potential of FRK to tackle hidden hunger in high-need, high-exertion populations. 

To ensure the effectiveness of fortified rice, dsm-firmenich employs innovative technologies that embed nutrients into each grain. Extrusion technology, the most common and effective method, transforms broken rice into flour, blends it with a premix of vitamins and minerals, and then extrudes it into rice-shaped kernels. These are dried and mixed into standard rice at a set ratio. A second method, coating, involves spraying a nutrient-rich layer onto rice, though it’s less widely used due to nutrient loss during washing and cooking as well as color changes of the kernel.

By making rice more nutritious, without changing the way people eat it, fortified kernels offer a powerful, practical way to reach those most vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies. 

Fighting anemia together

Anemia shouldn’t remain a silent burden. We have listened and taken action. With our tools, we can reduce its impact and help unlock healthier, more productive lives, especially for those most at risk. Strategies like Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF), and Fortified Kernels (FK) offer proven, scalable ways to close the iron gap through smart, science-backed nutrition. But no solution works in isolation. Progress requires continued investment, strong public policies, and collaboration across sectors. For every dollar invested in food fortification, the return can be as high as $27, not only in health improvements, but in productivity gains and reduced healthcare costs. That’s impact worth acting on.

At dsm-firmenich, we’re committed to advancing innovative nutrition solutions that meet people where they are, in the foods they eat every day. By working together with governments, partners, and local communities, we can build a future where iron deficiency no longer holds people back.