Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, in particular deficiencies of iron, iodine, vitamin A and folic acid, cause significant economic losses through excess morbidity and mortality of women and children, reduced cognitive development in children, decreased work productivity of adults and increased disabilities. Flour fortification involves adding essential vitamins and mineral to flour as it is milled, which in turn makes foods prepared with fortified flour more nutritious. Iron, zinc, folic acid, and other B vitamins are commonly added to wheat and maize flours. This has proven to be a cost-effective means of reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and neural tube birth defects and improving overall health.