What does the term "food fortification" refer to?

The term "food fortification" specifically refers to the process of adding essential nutrients to food products to improve their nutritional value. This practice aims to combat nutrient deficiencies in populations that may lack access to a well-balanced diet or specific nutrients. For example, common nutrients that may be added include vitamins (like vitamin D and B vitamins), minerals (such as iron and calcium), and other beneficial compounds. Food fortification helps to ensure that individuals receive adequate nutrition to support overall health and prevent deficiency-related diseases.

In this context, the other options do not accurately represent the definition of food fortification. The addition of flavors to food pertains to enhancing taste rather than nutrition, while increasing food variety refers to offering a wide range of different foods, which does not equate to fortification. Lastly, reducing calorie content focuses on lowering energy intake, which is unrelated to the intentional addition of nutrients aimed at improving health outcomes.