Introduction
ZINC DEFICIENCY, UNDERNUTRITION
Zinc deficiency is common in populations that consume diets with a low content of animal products and a high consumption of vegetables and cereal crops. Animal foods make an important contribution to zinc requirements because they contain highly bioavailable zinc, whereas the zinc in some cereals and vegetables may have lower absorption because of the presence of phytate. Child undernutrition is persistently high in the central Andes of Peru, and numerous smallholder families fail to meet their basic needs of energy, iron and zinc [Although various strategies, including agricultural diversification, may have the potential to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies, cultural and economic factors may limit access to animal source foods and low-phytate staple foods, and so the introduction of zinc-biofortified crops could be an effective and sustainable alternative approach when they are part of the usual diet [According to the FAO, after rice and wheat, potato was the most consumed food worldwide in 2019, with an average consumption of 66 kg/per capita/y [The International Potato Center (CIP) has developed zinc-biofortified potatoes using conventional breeding. As potatoes contain low levels of phytate [