Biofortification in crops, animal-source foods, and aquatic foods: A global review synopsis

Biofortification is an agricultural strategy that increases the vitamin and mineral content of staple crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and cassava through breeding or improved agronomic practices, helping to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health, particularly in low- and middle income countries (LMIC). While crop biofortification is well established and widely implemented across LMIC, interest is growing in the potential for biofortification in animal-source foods (ASF) and aquatic-source foods (AQSF) as complementary food-based strategies for better diets and nutrition. These include nutrient enrichment achieved through breeding, agronomy, genetic improvement, or feed-based strategies that increase nutrient concentrations in edible tissues. However, unlike crop biofortification, efforts to systematically assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and comparative value of ASF and AQSF biofortification are limited. A rigorous synthesis is needed to clarify the state of evidence, identify gaps, and determine whether ASF/AQSF biofortification can complement or enhance traditional crop-based approaches to improving diets, nutrition, and health outcomes