Anemia is the mean nutritional problem of the country, affecting children below 3 years of age, pregnant women and the elderly. Food fortification is one of the most effective ways for its prevention. To evaluate the possibility of sugar use as a vehicle for iron fortification, we analyzed a group of 95 children between 2 to 6 years of age, in day care centers in Sao Paulo, who received 20g enriched sugar (Catarinense Refinary) to sweeten their orange juice daily. The first group (n=43) received 10mg / of chelate aminoacid Iron / kilogram of sugar (Albion) and the second (n=52) 100mg / of chelate aminoacid iron / kilogram of sugar. Children were analyzed biochemically with hemoglobin, iron and ferritin and by means of anthropometry (weight and height) at the begining and after six months of follow up. The results showed that those who received 10mg presented 37% of anemia at the begining and 18% at the end of this study, with an increase of about 0,40g/dL of hemoglobin. The 100mg group presented initially 30% of anemic children, decreasing to 21% after the intervention, with a increase of Hemoglobin of 0,42g/dL. There was a decrease on iron and ferritin levels during the study to both groups, without any statistical meaning. As to anthropometry, there was no variation considering weight/age, height/age and weight/height (Z score and percentage) during the project.

We concluded that despite the low doses of iron used, there was a reduction of anemia and an increase of hemoglobin, without altering the iron reserves. Sugar did not color or taste. Sugar enriched with chelate aminoacid iron is an adequate way to prevent anemia, even at 10mg/kg doses (commercial sugar).