In preparation for a proposed large-scale food fortification program in Cameroon, we completed a nationally representative,
cross-sectional, cluster survey to assess the consumption patterns of four potentially fortifiable foods (refined vegetable oil,
wheat flour, sugar, and bouillon cube) by women and children. Thirty clusters were randomly chosen in each of three ecologic
zones (south, north, and large cities) and 10 households (HH) per cluster were selected, each with a child 12–59 mo old and a
primary female caregiver 15–49 y old (total 1002 HH). Blood samples were collected and food consumption was assessed by
FFQ and 24-h dietary recall. Anemia (39% of women, 58% of children) and deficiencies of iron (15–32%, 21–70%), zinc (77%,
70%), vitamin A (22%, 35%), and vitamin B-12 (28%, 27%) were common, especially in the north and among HH with lower
socio-economic status (SES). Oil was consumed by 54% of HH, whereas .75% of HH consumed wheat flour, sugar, and
bouillon cube. For most foods, coverage was lower among HH with lower SES. On average, oil, wheat flour, and sugar were
consumed once per day and bouillon cube was consumed twice per day. Median intakes of oil, wheat flour, sugar, and
bouillon cube (among consumers) were 19.8, 79.4, 30.0, and 1.9 g/d for women and 12.0, 49.4, 19.4, and 0.9 g/d for children,
respectively. Food consumption patterns of high risk population subgroups must be considered, along with technical
feasibility and cost, for the selection of appropriate vehicles for food fortification