The lucky iron fish

Maternal and child undernutrition are a significant problem in the

developing world, with serious consequences for human health and
socio--economic development. In Cambodia, 55% of children, 43% of
women of reproductive age, and 50% of pregnant women are anemic.
The current research focuses on the design and evaluation of an
innovative iron supplementation technique. A culturally acceptable,
inexpensive and lightweight iron ingot was designed to resemble a fish
species considered lucky in Khmer culture.
The ingot, referred to as try sabay
or happy fish, was designed to
supply iron at a slow, steady rate.
Iron leaching was observed in water
and soup samples prepared with
the
iron
fish
when
used
concurrently with an acidifier. More
than 75% of daily iron requirements
can be met with regular use. Its use
in the common pot of soup or boiled water provides supplementation to
the entire family.
Lucky iron fish was developed in 2008 by Canadian health workers in
Cambodia, and in 2012 a company, The
Lucky Iron Fish Project, was formed to
develop the iron fish on a larger scale,
promote them among rural areas, and
distribute them to non governmental
organization partners.
The effectiveness of the iron fish was
investigated in a randomized community
trial involving 310 women in rural
Cambodia. Blood samples were taken at
baseline and every three months
thereafter, over a 12--month trial period.
Significant increases in hemoglobin
concentrations were observed in women allocated an iron fish when
compared to controls throughout the study, with a final difference of
11.6 g/L.
The study highlights the acceptability and effectiveness of a fish-shaped
iron ingot as a means of improving dietary iron content. It offers a
promising, simple solution to iron deficiency anemia if the project can be
scaled--up for use throughout the country.

The lucky iron fish

Maternal and child undernutrition are a significant problem in the
developing world, with serious consequences for human health and
socio--economic development. In Cambodia, 55% of children, 43% of
women of reproductive age, and 50% of pregnant women are anemic.
The current research focuses on the design and evaluation of an
innovative iron supplementation
technique.
A
culturally
acceptable, inexpensive, strong
and lightweight iron ingot was
designed to resemble a fish
species considered lucky in
Khmer culture.
The ingot, referred to as try
sabay or happy fish, was
designed to supply iron at a slow,
steady rate.

The happy fish is made from natural

ferrous iron, which is bioavailable and
safe.
This fish was developed in 2008 by
Canadian Dr. Christopher Charles and
his co-workers in Cambodia, and in
2012 a company, The Lucky Iron Fish
Project, was formed to develop the iron
fish on a larger scale, promote them among rural areas, and
distribute them to non-governmental organization partners.
How it works? Its pretty simple, boil the fish for 10 minutes in 1L of
water with a teaspoon of lemon juice (or anything acid). This water
can be stored for several days before drinking it. To maximize the
absorption of iron from the water, add a few drops of lemon juice
before drinking the water. The fish can be also cook in soup or stews
but for the best release of iron, it is necessary add some citrus or
tomato juice to the cooking pot when is boiling. After cooking with

The lucky iron fish

the fish or boiling it in water, you should clean it with water, dry it
well and store it in a dry place. The iron fish is a simple affordable and
effective solution that anyone can use.