Wheat Flour

As part of the 2019-2020 Budgetary measures, the government introduced initiatives to combat high anaemia rates in women and reduce neural tube defects in newborns by promoting the supply of wheat flour fortified with iron, minerals and folic acid. In support of this, the STC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, launched the distribution of fortified wheat flour in Mauritius in October 2023, followed by its introduction in Rodrigues.

In line with the national Food Regulation 2024, the STC is contributing to safeguard the public health by ensuring the continuous daily supply of fortified wheat flour for both bread and multi-purpose flour. All wheat flour categories provided by the STC are enriched with Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B9 (folic acid), and Vitamin B12.

Benefits of Fortification:

• Iron: Helps prevent anemia by promoting the production of red blood cells.
• Zinc: Supports immune function and metabolism.
• Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Essential for cell growth and DNA formation, important for preventing birth defects.

Vitamin B12: Aids in nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells.

The total requirements for local consumption of wheat flour used to be met by imports until the setting up of a local milling company, Les Moulins de la Concorde, in the late eighties. With the availability of locally-milled flour, STC reduced the volume of flour in its tenders by 50% of the total requirements. The other 50% is reserved for supply by Les Moulins de la Concorde in case it has not been the lowest tenderer but accepts to align its own price on the lowest obtained in the tender process.

Recap on Purchase of Fortified Wheat Flour by STC