Food for Sight

Vitamin A deficiency is still a considerable contributor to preventable child blindness and maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. One possible solution? Biofortified staple crops.
 
In remote or developing areas where industrial fortification and vitamin A supplementation are insufficient, commonly consumed crops like maize, bananas, cassava, and sweet potatoes can be biofortified to contain high levels of beta-carotene, then grown and milled locally. Several clinical trials in Zambia illustrate the potential success of biofortified crops and raise hopes for fighting other macronutrient deficiencies worldwide.
 
Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health