Effect of Household Processing and Cooking of Common Foods on Carotenoids Retention

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is tine leading cause of childhood blindness, which, in its severest form, is often found in company with severe malnutrition and diseases. As a short-term measure, periodic administration of large doses of vitamin A has been in operation in India to reduce the serious consequences of VAD. In India, the prevalence of Bitot spots declined from 1.8 per cent in 1970 to 0.8 per cent in 2002 and severe forms of keratomalacia and blindness have almost disappeared. The most rational approach to combat VAD is to increase its dietary intake and thus build of body stores of vitamin A. The content of vitamin A precursors both in raw foods and stored or processed products is not stable during its long journey from the producer to the consumer.