<p>Zinc fortification of wheat flour is an important strategy to address widespread micronutrient deficiencies; however, effective field-level monitoring tools are limited. This study reports the development of a simple, low-cost, field-deployable qualitative spot test for zinc detection in fortified wheat flour using Dithizone (diphenylthiocarbazone). The assay produces a distinct pink coloration upon complexation with zinc ions, enabling visual interpretation within 16–40&#xa0;s depending on the concentration. A standardized color reference chart was developed to support consistent interpretation by trained personnel. The visual detection threshold was established at 15&#xa0;ppm Zn with reproducible results across 10 replicates. Selectivity testing against common inorganic salts and metal ions showed no observable interference under food-relevant conditions. For confirmatory purposes, zinc concentrations (0–80&#xa0;ppm) in standard solutions and fortified wheat flour samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), which showed strong linearity with R² values of 0.9645 and 0.9575 for standard and flour matrices, respectively. The assay demonstrated consistent agreement between visual responses and instrumental confirmation. The proposed method provides a rapid and practical screening tool for monitoring the zinc fortification in wheat flour and is suitable for use in the flour mills, regulatory inspections and resource-limited settings, thereby strengthening the food safety and fortification quality assurance systems.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>