A ministry must choose between micronutrient supplementation programs and mandatory fortification of a staple to combat vitamin A deficiency. Which evaluation criterion should most influence the decision in a low‑resource setting with weak health systems?

• A. Preference for single high‑dose supplementation because it requires no regulatory oversight and guarantees 100% uptake among the most remote populations without any delivery infrastructure.
• B. Rely exclusively on distributing vitamin A‑rich fruits and vegetables through market subsidies without fortification or supplementation, assuming immediate market shifts are guaranteed even with weak infrastructure.
• C. Population coverage feasibility and sustainability: mandatory fortification of a widely consumed staple typically achieves broader, more consistent population coverage with fewer recurrent delivery costs than clinic‑based supplementation where health system reach is limited.
• D. Choose neither because vitamin A deficiency cannot be modified by nutrition programs and will resolve spontaneously as economies grow.

Answer: (C)