For the past two decades, Indonesia has faced complex challenges in ensuring adequate nutrition for its population—particularly when it comes to vitamin A deficiency. 

The consequences of vitamin A deficiency are wide-ranging, from weakened immune function to blindness, especially among vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women. As a response, the Indonesian government has mandated the fortification of cooking oil with vitamin A as part of its national nutrition strategy.

However, turning policy into practice is rarely straightforward. One of the key hurdles in the field is the ability to monitor vitamin A levels efficiently, accurately, and affordably. 

Standard testing methods like High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), while precise, require laboratory infrastructure, expert personnel, and considerable time—resources not always accessible to all industry players, particularly small and medium producers in remote areas.

Why Is Vitamin A Fortification Important?

Vitamin A fortification in cooking oil is considered one of the most effective nutrition interventions, particularly because cooking oil is consumed widely across all segments of the population. 

Adding vitamin A to this staple food doesn’t affect its taste or appearance, but it can have a profound impact in reducing deficiency rates.

Studies have shown that fortification programs can increase serum retinol levels in the population and reduce the risks of vision impairment, infection, and even mortality linked to vitamin A deficiency. 

This is why accuracy in fortification processes is critical—highlighting the importance of field-ready testing tools like the iCheck Chroma 3™.

Why Does Vitamin A Fortification Require Rigorous Monitoring?

Cooking oil, as a household staple, is a logical and high-impact vehicle for fortification. But without proper quality control, fortification programs risk missing their mark—whether due to under-fortification or excessive dosing.

Quality control is not just about meeting regulatory compliance; it’s about safeguarding the effectiveness of nutrition interventions.

A Field-Ready Technology Solution: Introducing iCheck Chroma 3™

To bridge the gap between policy and field implementation, technologies like the iCheck Chroma 3™ offer timely and practical solutions. Developed by BioAnalyt through extensive collaboration with field partners and drawing on over 15 years of specialized experience in nutrition testing, this portable device enables quick, on-site measurement of vitamin A levels in edible oil—delivering results in under two minutes. 

BioAnalyt's global expertise in making laboratory-quality testing accessible in field conditions has proven invaluable in addressing Indonesia's unique challenges. Their technology has already demonstrated success in similar fortification programs across Africa and Asia, giving producers confidence in its real-world reliability. 

"Our partnership with local stakeholders like Bahtera is essential," explains Samet Bicer; Sales & Application Specialist at BioAnalyt. "They understand the unique challenges of the Indonesian market, while we bring proven field-testing solutions. Together, we can ensure fortification programs actually reach the communities that need them most." 

Weighing just 450 g and featuring a user-friendly interface designed specifically for non-laboratory environments, the iCheck Chroma 3™ brings efficiency and decentralization to quality control practices in food production. 

BioAnalyt's commitment to "taking the laboratory out of the measurement" is evident in every aspect of the device's design. 

How Does iCheck Chroma 3™ Work?

The iCheck Chroma 3™ uses the Carr-Price colorimetric reaction to detect retinol (vitamin A) levels in cooking oil. BioAnalyt optimized this established scientific method for field conditions, ensuring accuracy while eliminating the infrastructure requirements of traditional laboratory testing. 

The system consists of a handheld photometer and a test kit specifically formulated for stability in varying environmental conditions. The testing process is straightforward: the oil sample is simply injected into a ready-to-use vial that already contains all the necessary reagents. The device then measures the color change to determine the vitamin A concentration.

Figure 1. iCheck Chroma 3™ Device and Test Kit 

All of this can be done right at the production site with no lab needed—an approach that BioAnalyt has refined across multiple global nutrition programs. 

BioAnalyt continues to invest in innovation, including an improved vitamin A method for edible oils on the upcoming iCheck Modular device. 

It will also enable measurement of key oil quality parameters such as peroxide value, free fatty acids, and iodine value, supporting rapid, reliable assessments of oil freshness and stability with a single device. 

These new developments are designed to be even more user- and field-friendly, further supporting the decentralization of food quality testing and ensuring stronger, data-driven fortification programs worldwide. 

Figure 2. iCheck Modular Device

Comparison with HPLC Method

Aspect 

iCheck Chroma 3™

HPLC

Analysis Time 

< 2 minutes 

Several hours

Testing Location 

Field & lab 

Laboratory only

Infrastructure 

Needs

Minimal 

High

Required Training 

1 day 

Trained 

chemists

Operational Cost 

Relatively low 

High

Accuracy Level 

Sufficient for field QC 

Very high

This comparison shows that while HPLC remains unmatched in absolute accuracy, iCheck Chroma 3™ stands out for its speed, convenience, and flexibility—making it ideal for fast-paced food industry operations spread across various locations.

See study comparing iCheck Chroma 3™ to HPLC here. 

Bahtera’s Role in Supporting National Fortification

At Bahtera Adi Jaya, we understand how vital robust quality control is to any successful fortification program. Through our Food & Beverage division, we not only supply high-quality vitamin A ingredients for cooking oil fortification, but also facilitate access to iCheck Chroma 3™ devices and their test kits.

Our integrated approach helps food producers meet fortification standards more efficiently—without relying solely on external lab facilities. We also provide technical training, application consulting, and on-site support to close the gap between policy goals and real-world implementation.

Building a More Inclusive and Measurable Fortification System

Vitamin A fortification is a strategic step toward improving national food quality. But without reliable testing systems, the success of such programs cannot be guaranteed. Technologies like iCheck Chroma 3™ enable fast, portable, and affordable testing—empowering industry players to act immediately without depending on central labs.

With the support of partners like Bahtera, fortification programs in Indonesia can become more inclusive and measurable. This isn't just about ticking regulatory boxes—it’s about a collective commitment to improving public health through safer, more nutritious food.

Let’s move forward together to elevate Indonesia’s food quality. Find your solutions with Bahtera here.