Edible oil manufacturers are struggling to sustain vitamin infusions into their products before releasing them to the market. The mandatory infusion of Vitamin A and Vitamin D, essential for night vision and bone strength, was stipulated by the Ethiopian Food & Drug Authority (EFDA) with a yearlong transitional period, which ended in September.

Signed by Negash Sime, deputy head of the food regulation directorate at the Authority, a warning to comply with the requirement was sent out through the Ethiopian Edible Oil Manufacturing Industries Association. Negash urged manufacturers to obtain certification from independent laboratories before hitting the market, indicating a provisional period has passed.

The same requirement is applied to importers with the Authority suspending about 29 flour and oil importer shipments that failed to meet the criteria within the past three months. According to Negash, the regulatory measure will reach local processors soon enough.

“We’re working with Industry and Trade ministries,” he said, “And waiting for insight from the Standard Council.”

The optional mineral and vitamin infusion in edible oil was introduced by the Institute of Ethiopian Standards (IES) six years ago. The reluctance of manufacturers citing high production costs has prompted the officials to make it mandatory, according to Yilma Mengistu, director of standard development.

From a nutritionist's perspective, the decision is plausible. Zelalem Debebe who has two decades of experience in the field, affirms the selection of edible oil and flour also goes in line with popular diets across the country, suggesting that campaigning for supplements might not be as effective.

"Infusion is a better way to expand reach," she said.

However, manufacturers who were sprung with additional production costs are choked with foreign currency shortages.

“Only three were complying,” said Mohammed Yusuf, board director of the Association.

The 35 oil refineries out of a 200-member Association claim to have tried reaching out to aid organisations, with hopes of getting fortified premixes that are commercially prepared.