Micronutrient Initiative

Published: July 2012, Updated: October 2016

We contacted Micronutrient Initiative in 2012 because it works to reduce micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A, zinc, iodine, folic acid, and iron deficiencies, in the developing world,1 an approach we find promising. We did not complete a full review because Micronutrient Initiative declined to participate in our review process.

In early 2015, we contacted a small number of organizations that run priority programs to ask the organizations to apply for a GiveWell recommendation. Micronutrient Initiative was one of these organizations. Micronutrient Initiative decided not to apply in 2015.

We invited Micronutrient Initiative to apply in 2016. Micronutrient Initiative declined to apply in 2016.

Sources

  • 1

    "Since 1997, MI has provided more than 75% of the vitamin A required for supplementation programs in developing countries – more than 5 billion capsules and oral doses of vitamin A.

    Zinc has also been proven to strengthen the immune system to enable young children to survive infections and MI is working with governments to improve national diarrhoea treatment guidelines and has significantly increased its programming in recent years to provide additional zinc to children most in need.

    MI is leading efforts to reach the last 30% of households still not using iodized salt by working with small, local salt processors in providing simple and easy iodization techniques.

    MI offers its knowledge and technology to the food industry to add nutrients, such as iron and folic acid, to food cost-effectively without affecting its quality or taste, helping to improve the quality of life for women and their families."
    Micronutrient Initiative, "What We Do."