What is most important is clarification of the respective roles and responsibilities of government, development agencies, and private salt companies. This means creating an effective alliance and understanding about who owns the products. At these meetings the public and development sectors have been dominant. It is time for the public and private sectors to agree on these issues and set appropriate guidelines and policies. We review here public-private collaboration towards the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition.
Special emphasis is given to the potential role of large food companies.
The purpose is to examine current and projected markets as well as to define perceptions and barriers to reaching micronutrient-deficient populations with fortified products. We took a three-part approach. First we examined statements on the subject of public-private collaboration at international and national meetings and in key publications over the past decade. While the rhetoric calling for collaboration with the private sector has been consistent, real partnerships have been rare. It is clear that there is a gap between what is being said and what is being done.