Small dried fish as an affordable source of key micronutrients in Madagascar: nutritional benefits and contamination risks
- 1MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Madagascar, where diets rely heavily on starchy staples and access to animal-source foods is limited. Small dried fish (SDF) are widely available, yet their nutritional value and health risks remain poorly documented. We combined market surveys, taxonomic identification, and micronutrient and heavy metal analyses of nine SDF types collected along National Road 7. The samples encompassed 33 fish families, were dominated by small pelagic species (Clupeidae and Engraulidae), and were appreciated by consumers. A daily portion (5 g for infants; 10 g for young children and women of childbearing age) contributed substantially to Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). Across samples and groups, SDF were rich (>30% of RNI) in selenium and, for infants and young children, in calcium. All samples were a source of (>15% of RNI), or rich in, phosphorus, whereas iron contributions were more variable but often substantial. Several samples exceeded 100% of RNIs for selenium, calcium, iron, or manganese in infants and young children, and some were also sources of magnesium and, less frequently, zinc. Vitamin A was absent from sun-dried samples but detected in a smoked freshwater type. Heavy metal concentrations varied markedly, and portions of several types led to estimated exposures to inorganic arsenic or cadmium exceeding reference values, whereas freshwater species and some pelagic types showed a more favorable nutrition-risk balance. Overall, SDF are affordable, nutrient-dense foods with strong potential to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in Madagascar, while highlighting the need for type-specific guidance to balance nutritional benefits and contamination risks.
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BibTeX
@misc{todimazava2026small,
title = {{Small dried fish as an affordable source of key micronutrients in Madagascar: nutritional benefits and contamination risks}},
author = {L. D. Todimazava and M. J. Darias and C. Mouquet-Rivier and J. Mahafina and T. Lamy},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.64898/2026.08.28.26361595},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.28.26361595v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Small dried fish as an affordable source of key micronutrients in Madagascar: nutritional benefits and contamination risks
AU - L. D. Todimazava
AU - M. J. Darias
AU - C. Mouquet-Rivier
AU - J. Mahafina
AU - T. Lamy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/28
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.08.28.26361595
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.28.26361595v1
AB - Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Madagascar, where diets rely heavily on starchy staples and access to animal-source foods is limited. Small dried fish (SDF) are widely available, yet their nutritional value and health risks remain poorly documented. We combined market surveys, taxonomic identification, and micronutrient and heavy metal analyses of nine SDF types collected along National Road 7. The samples encompassed 33 fish families, were dominated by small pelagic species (Clupeidae and Engraulidae), and were appreciated by consumers. A daily portion (5 g for infants; 10 g for young children and women of childbearing age) contributed substantially to Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). Across samples and groups, SDF were rich (>30% of RNI) in selenium and, for infants and young children, in calcium. All samples were a source of (>15% of RNI), or rich in, phosphorus, whereas iron contributions were more variable but often substantial. Several samples exceeded 100% of RNIs for selenium, calcium, iron, or manganese in infants and young children, and some were also sources of magnesium and, less frequently, zinc. Vitamin A was absent from sun-dried samples but detected in a smoked freshwater type. Heavy metal concentrations varied markedly, and portions of several types led to estimated exposures to inorganic arsenic or cadmium exceeding reference values, whereas freshwater species and some pelagic types showed a more favorable nutrition-risk balance. Overall, SDF are affordable, nutrient-dense foods with strong potential to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in Madagascar, while highlighting the need for type-specific guidance to balance nutritional benefits and contamination risks.
ER -