22 January 2026 – A new technical brief by the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Consortium hosted by the Micronutrient Forum, summarizes the current evidence on the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) during the preconception period in low- and middle-income countries.
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As more countries adopt MMS during pregnancy, questions have emerged about whether starting supplementation before conception offers additional benefits. This brief, developed through a review conducted by the global MMS Technical Advisory Group, synthesizes findings from published trials, ongoing studies, and existing global and national guidance. While MMS during pregnancy is well established as a cost-effective intervention, the brief concludes that evidence for preconception MMS remains limited and heterogeneous. It highlights potential benefits, key research gaps, and the need for implementation research to inform future guidance, while reinforcing that pregnant women remain the priority population for MMS programs.