Miller in the Spotlight: How Dr. Harjinder Modi is Advancing Food Fortification at Dufil Group

Millers for Nutrition celebrates the individuals transforming food systems. In this edition of Miller in the Spotlight, we feature Dr. Harjinder Modi, Head of Quality (Corporate) at Dufil Group, whose career is defined by an unwavering commitment to innovation and nutritional excellence.

“Dr. Harjinder Modi exemplifies the leadership required to advance food fortification at scale. His commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement strengthens food quality systems and improves access to safe, nutritious food for millions.”
— Millers for Nutrition Team

With a 22-year career spanning pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, Dr. Modi has strengthened quality systems and protected brand reputations for global organizations including Dabur, Mars Wrigley, Heinz, Olam, and Twellium.

His milestones include establishing greenfield laboratories at Dabur, optimizing process controls at Mars Wrigley, implementing Quality systems at Heinz and critical quality assurance functions across West Africa for Olam and Twellium.

At Dufil Group, Dr. Modi now champions operational excellence to drive business performance and consumer wellbeing, prioritizing meaningful impact through continuous growth.

“Learning something new every day, implementing advanced systems, and managing people are my true motivators. I find the greatest reward in creating value for both businesses and individuals.”

His passion for food fortification grows from a deep understanding of the role nutrition plays in human health and development. He anchors his belief in the idea that proper nutrition builds the foundation for healthier lives and stronger communities.

This belief fuels his commitment to tackling malnutrition, particularly in Africa, where micronutrient deficiencies continue to impact millions of lives. He sees food fortification as one of the most practical, scalable, and impactful solutions for improving public health.

Dr. Modi’s collaboration with Millers for Nutrition and the Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) represents a strategic alignment of technical expertise and shared purpose.

“Millers for Nutrition’s commitment and passion towards the MFI deeply impressed me. They bring technical expertise, and we bring strategic intention, it is a perfect fit.”

Dr. Harjinder Modi and Raggesh Gaggar (far left) receiving the 3rd Place Award for Emperor Vegetable Oil in the 2025 Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) Top Five Excellence category.

While industry progress is encouraging, Dr. Modi advocates for continued investment in certified laboratories and skilled professionals to deepen the impact of fortification efforts.

Guided by integrity and ethics, Dr. Modi’s leadership reminds us that dedicated individuals are the catalyst for progress. Every fortified product represents a commitment to quality and healthier communities.

“Integrity and ethics are my ultimate core values. When you anchor your work in ethical behaviour, every other virtue naturally follows.”

Outside work, Dr. Modi enjoys spending quality time with family, engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, and watching documentaries that broaden his perspective and understanding of the world.

Dr. Modi’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful progress in food fortification depends on dedicated leaders who take action every day. Behind every fortified product is a commitment to quality, better nutrition, and healthier communities.

At Millers for Nutrition, we remain inspired by changemakers like Dr. Harjinder Modi, who continues to strengthen food quality and safety systems, improve nutrition outcomes, and transform lives, one fortified product at a time.

Miller in Spotlight – Mr. Cheran K, CEO – Kaleesuwari Refinery Pvt. Ltd.

Q. Kaleesuwari has been a household name for over five decades. What was the defining moment that led the company to transition from being a provider of ‘pure oil’ to becoming a champion of ‘fortified nutrition’ through initiatives like the Vita D3+ campaign?

For over five decades, Kaleesuwari built its reputation on purity and trust. However, as we engaged more deeply with consumers, nutrition experts, and public-health stakeholders, one reality became clear — India’s hidden hunger, especially Vitamin A and D deficiency, cannot be addressed by availability of food alone; it requires nutrient-enriched staples.
Edible oil is consumed daily across socio-economic segments and geographies. That makes it a powerful and scalable nutrition delivery vehicle. This insight became the defining moment for us. The Vita D initiative was therefore not just a product upgrade, but a purpose-led transition — from being a provider of pure oil to becoming a partner in preventive nutrition.
It aligns perfectly with our long-standing philosophy: what reaches the consumer’s kitchen must improve their wellbeing, not just meet a functional need.

Q. What is the biggest challenge Kaleesuwari has faced in EO fortification?


The most significant challenge has been balancing nutritional compliance with commercial and sensory expectations.
Fortification requires:
• highly precise micronutrient dosing
• stability across the product’s shelf life
• zero impact on taste, aroma, and appearance
At the same time, it must remain affordable for mass consumers.
In the early stages, creating process discipline, supplier alignment for premix quality, and real-time monitoring systems were critical. Today, the challenge has evolved into driving consumer awareness so that fortification is valued and not seen as just another label claim.

Q. With your rigorous ’80-point quality check’ process, how has Kaleesuwari integrated EO fortification into its manufacturing without compromising the taste and stability that consumers expect from brands like Gold Winner and Cardia?
Our 80-point quality check system was actually an enabler for seamless integration.
Fortification has been embedded at three levels:

Output assurance
• Retention sample testing for micronutrient stability across shelf life
• Sensory benchmarking against non-fortified control oils
This ensures that brands like Gold Winner and Cardia retain their same taste, lightness, and cooking performance, while delivering added nutrition — which is non-negotiable for us.

Input control
• Validation of certified premix suppliers
• Stability and compatibility testing with different oil matrices

Process control
• Automated and calibrated dosing systems
• Homogeneity validation at defined batch intervals
• In-line and post-blend sampling protocols

Q. How do your quality, operations, and procurement teams work together to ensure consistent standards and reliable supply to consumers?


Fortification success depends on synchronised execution across procurement, operations, and quality:
• Procurement ensures long-term partnerships with certified premix suppliers, dual sourcing strategies, and strict inbound quality protocols.
• Operations manages calibrated dosing, batch traceability, and process standardisation across plants.
• Quality drives validation, periodic audits, and regulatory compliance, including FSSAI fortification norms.
We operate through a closed-loop review system, where deviations — however small — trigger root-cause analysis and corrective action. This guarantees that the consumer gets the same nutritional assurance in every pack, every time.


Q. India faces a significant challenge with Vitamin A and D deficiencies. How does Kaleesuwari view its role as a miller in the ‘Millers for Nutrition’ coalition to help bridge this nutritional gap, especially for semi-urban and rural populations?


As a leading edible-oil miller, we believe our responsibility goes beyond manufacturing.
Through the Millers for Nutrition coalition, our focus is on:
• Making fortified oil accessible to semi-urban and rural households
• Supporting large-scale behaviour-change communication
• Partnering in institutional and public-distribution channels
• Sharing best practices in process, quality, and compliance
Because edible oil has near-universal penetration, millers like us can help bridge the micronutrient gap at population scale without requiring any change in food habits.

Q. In your experience, what is the biggest challenge in moving the needle on consumer awareness for fortified foods, and how are you tackling it?


The biggest challenge is that fortification is an invisible benefit.
Consumers can see purity and price — but they cannot see micronutrients.
Our approach has been to:
• Simplify communication through campaigns like Vita D
• Use on-pack education with the +F logo
• Drive doctor, nutritionist, and digital advocacy
• Position fortification as family wellness, not a technical feature
The shift we are working towards is from “oil that cooks well” to “oil that cares for your family’s health.”

Q. As our ‘Miller in Spotlight,’ how does Kaleesuwari envision the long-term roadmap for its fortification journey?


Our fortification roadmap is built on three pillars:

Nutrition leadership
• Continuous improvement in micronutrient stability
• Collaboration with policymakers and industry bodies
• Consumer education at scale


Our long-term vision is clear:
Every Kaleesuwari pack should not only deliver purity and performance, but also measurable nutritional value to the Indian consumer.

1. Universalisation
Ensuring fortification across our entire edible-oil portfolio so that nutrition is not a premium feature but a standard.

2. Accessibility
Taking fortified oils deeper into:
• rural markets
• value packs
• institutional channels

3. Nutrition leadership
• Continuous improvement in micronutrient stability
• Collaboration with policymakers and industry bodies
• Consumer education at scale

Our long-term vision is clear:
Every Kaleesuwari pack should not only deliver purity and performance, but also measurable nutritional value to the Indian consumer.

Miller in the Spotlight: Aderemi Adepoju, Championing Quality at Dangote Sugar Refinery

At Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), quality is not just a standard, it is a promise. This commitment was celebrated at the 2025 Micronutrient Fortification Awards Ceremony, where DSR proudly received the “Best in Vitamin A Compliance for Sugar” award. The recognition reflects years of deliberate effort to ensure that every bag of sugar leaving the refinery is not only sweet, but safe, nutritious, and fortified to meet national standards.

Aderemi Adepoju (center) receiving the award at the 2025 Micronutrient Fortification Awards Ceremony for Dangote Sugar Refinery.

Behind this achievement are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to uphold product integrity. One of them is Aderemi Adepoju, the Quality Assurance Manager at Dangote Sugar Refinery, whose day-to-day work plays a vital role in ensuring that quality and fortification remain non-negotiable.

For Aderemi no two days are exactly the same, but each one begins with clarity of purpose. “A typical day at Dangote Sugar Refinery starts with meetings and discussions around what we want to achieve for the day,” he explains. These morning check-ins are not routine formalities; they are strategic touchpoints where the quality team aligns on daily production targets, reviews operational realities, and maps out how best to deploy available resources. “We look at the resources that are available and harness them to ensure that we meet our target for the day. At DSR, our target is set daily, and we make sure we achieve it.”

From production monitoring to quality checks and fortification verification, Adepoju’s role sits at the intersection of precision and responsibility. Each batch of sugar must meet strict internal and regulatory benchmarks, especially when it comes to Vitamin A fortification. For him and his team, this means constant vigilance; checking processes, validating results, and ensuring that standards are not just met, but sustained.

Aderemi Adepoju (center) with the Millers for Nutrition team at Dangote Sugar Refinery, Lagos, Nigeria, during a courtesy visit at the start of the year.

Yet beyond the technical demands of the job, what truly drives Adepoju is the human impact of his work. When asked about the most rewarding part of his role, his answer is immediate and heartfelt. “A part of my job that makes me the most proud is that I am in the position to ensure that those who take our products are able to get quality products and get the best, even more than the money they spent on the products.”

It is this mindset, putting the consumer first, that defines Adepoju’s approach to quality assurance. For him, sugar is not just a commodity; it is a product that reaches millions of households and contributes, in its fortified form, to better nutrition outcomes. Knowing that his work helps families access safe, adequately fortified sugar gives deeper meaning to every inspection, meeting, and report.

Together, Aderemi Adepoju ’s dedication and Dangote Sugar Refinery’s culture of excellence demonstrate what is possible when quality, accountability, and impact are placed at the center of production. This journey is further strengthened through the support of Millers for Nutrition, which provides technical assistance to help ensure that fortification is done correctly, consistently, and in line with national standards. Through this collaboration, DSR continues to refine its processes, build technical capacity, and sustain high levels of Vitamin A compliance. 

Miller of the Month – Ruth Butende, Quality Assurance Manager, Buffalo Millers Ltd., Kenya

In a milling industry driven by evolving technology, food safety standards, and a growing emphasis on nutrition, individuals who champion quality and commitment stand out. This month, we shine a spotlight on Ruth Butende, the dedicated Quality Assurance Manager at Buffalo Millers Ltd.

As our November 2025 Miller of the Month, Ruth shares Buffalo Millers Ltd.’s commitment to producing safe, nutritious, and fortified maize flour, operating by their motto, “Quality before Quantity.” She also highlighted the company’s achievement of the respected ISO 22000:2018 certification and driving tangible benefits through a strong focus on gender equity and continuous improvement.

Why did you decide to join Millers for Nutrition?

Buffalo Millers Ltd joined Millers for Nutrition to help reduce micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, zinc, and vitamin A through flour fortification, improving community health and ensuring compliance with legal standards. Through the Millers for Nutrition, we receive training and technical support that enhances product quality and operational efficiency. Our participation in Millers for Nutrition also demonstrates our commitment to safe, nutritious food and fosters collaboration with other millers and nutrition partners to promote innovation in fortification.

Tell us about your commitment to food fortification

Our motto “Quality before Quantity” reflects our commitment to producing safe, nutritious, and fortified maize flour that meets all legal standards while promoting better health outcomes for our consumers. This commitment is upheld through regular quality checks and laboratory testing conducted by trained and competent staff. In addition, we have fully integrated fortification into our production processes as part of our Food Safety Management System (FSMS), ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance with fortification standards and regulatory requirements.

Tell us about your gender equity program. How has it impacted your business?

At BML, promoting gender equity is fundamental to our operations. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for both men and women in recruitment, training, and career advancement across all levels. We maintain fair representation of women in key departments, including quality assurance, production, and administration, encouraging a safe and inclusive work environment for everyone. This commitment has delivered tangible business benefits, leading to improved teamwork and overall productivity

How long have you been in the milling business? How has the industry changed in that time?

Buffalo Millers Ltd has been in the milling business for over 12years now, focusing primarily on the production of high-quality maize flour and by-products. Over this period, the milling industry has evolved significantly, with major improvements in technology, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements. There have been enhanced production and quality control systems, ensuring greater efficiency and product consistency. Additionally, increased emphasis on food fortification, nutrition, and compliance with health and safety standards has transformed how mills operate.

What’s your proudest achievement?

The BML team is most proud of achieving the highly respected ISO 22000:2018 (FSMS) certification, an accomplishment supported by Millers for Nutrition. This recognition has significantly enhanced our knowledge and continues to drive improvements in our product quality. Furthermore, our dedication to excellence has been formally acknowledged with the Superior Diamond Mark of Excellence for our products. Beyond these technical achievements, our enduring motto, ‘Quality before Quantity,’ guides our commitment to promoting a positive work environment built on quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Miller of the Month – Yanee Lasahido, Head of Research & Product Development, PT. Food Station Tjipinang Jaya (PERSERODA), Indonesia

Food Station has a mandate of providing staple foods to the residents of Jakarta, for example through the Pangan Murah Bersubsidi Program. Do you think there is a place for fortified rice in this program, and how would that benefit the Food Station’s mission?

The Subsidized Food Program is a social safety net program for the people of Jakarta that is budgeted by the Jakarta Provincial Government and implemented by BUMD Food Station throughout the year. If we look at the Food Law No. 18/2012, which regulates and ensures the consumption of safe, quality and nutritionally balanced food. This means that food provision for the community is not only calorie-based but also nutritious. Thus, the answer is that fortified rice is a choice that makes sense provided that the price of the rice is not higher than the applicable price ceiling and has a clear purpose, for example increasing immunity or reducing anemia. Converting regular premium rice into special medium rice / fortified rice is very possible as long as this is approved by the Governor.

Can you share the challenges and successes you’ve faced during the launch of your fortified rice product, and what lessons have you learned along the way?

From the beginning, we realized that the biggest challenge in fortified rice is the higher price of regular rice; public awareness of health and knowledge about fortified rice is still minimal. For other technical matters such as FRK providers, I think it can be done gradually and the technology already exists. While the demand from the government is not yet open, we are testing this product in commercial areas with the aim of getting insight as well as introducing this rice to the public. To reach people who are vulnerable to health (underprivileged), government intervention is needed. The government must be a demand creator from regional to national scale. We also adjusted the marketing communication of this product by approaching the community of mothers who care about their children’s health. It can’t be fast, but we see a better awareness of this product. At this stage, seeing a change in awareness in the community, even if it is limited, is very promising. We are well aware that this is a process.

How do you see fortified flour rice contributing to addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Indonesia, and what role do you think millers play in ensuring nutrition security?

If we look at some existing studies from international or local, fortified rice should be a reasonable option. Besides being efficient, it can reach the public widely and quickly, considering that rice is the staple food of most people in Indonesia.

I think all rice will definitely go through a rice mill, from this alone we can know that rice mills play a very strategic role in delivering food quality that is not only good in appearance but also meets good nutritional criteria. I think rice mills need to get intense technical guidance or some workshop in order to produce fortified rice with more proper results.

What collaborations or partnerships has Food Station formed to support its fortification efforts, and how can millers work together to promote nutrition and fortification?

From the beginning we also realized that this fortified rice will be useful for many people. We realize that rice ii must be produced in each region, not necessarily in Jakarta. Therefore, in addition to producing, we also collaborate with many parties including millers, FRK producers, blend/mixer machine providers, including BUMDs and Provincial and District Governments who visit and conduct comparative studies at Food Station to introduce fortified rice and how to make it. Our Rice Mill Unit and blending machine at Cipinang site are also open for comparative studies. We hope that the information about fortified rice can be better absorbed and start thinking about implementing it in their respective regions. Incidentally, the Jakarta Provincial Government also has an inter-regional cooperation program and through this office we can discuss and socialize fortified rice to overcome stunting and other health problems in their respective regions. This can also be collaborated with universities.

Going forward, what are your plans for expanding fortified rice production and distribution, and what message would you like to share with our readers about the importance of fortification?

Currently, awareness about fortified rice is starting to grow among rice entrepreneurs, but this is not enough. Because the awareness of fortifying their products, especially rice, is a long-term result and not just a matter of business. For us, this is a statement that it is the people’s right to live a healthy life and we are trying to deliver it. We are well aware that this is like running a marathon, we must have enough energy to achieve this goal. We will continue to socialize this to production partners, namely rice mills under our guidance, in collaboration with modern retail outlets and traditional markets as well as Provincial and district governments through the Food Security Office and their respective regionally-owned enterprises.

January 2025 Miller of the Month: Ritik Patel, Director – Shivam Flour Industries Pvt. Ltd.

Winner – Rising Milling Star of Food Fortification and Nutrition (Wheat Flour) at the Champions of Food Fortification and Nutrition by Millers For Nutrition, India.

Tell us about your commitment to food fortification?
My commitment to food fortification stems from a belief that improving the nutritional value of staple foods like wheat flour can have a significant impact on public health. By integrating essential nutrients into everyday foods, I aim to address malnutrition and promote healthier communities, using milling as a tool for positive change.

How has the Technical assistance from Millers for Nutrition impacted your business?
The technical assistance from Millers for Nutrition has greatly benefited my business by providing access to expertise in flour fortification and industry best practices. This support has helped improve product quality, streamline processes, and ensure we meet the highest nutritional standards, ultimately strengthening our market position and enhancing consumer trust.

What advice do you have for other millers?
My advice for other millers is to embrace innovation and prioritize food fortification. By improving the nutritional content of your products, you not only contribute to public health but also differentiate your business in the market. Stay open to learning, adopt best practices, and seek collaborations, as these will help you grow and succeed in an evolving industry.

mombasa-maize-millers-logo

October 2024 Miller of Month: Mombasa Maize Millers (Nakuru) Limited, Kenya

October 2024 Miller of Month: Mombasa Maize Millers (Nakuru) Limited, Kenya

Food vehicle: Wheat Flour

Winner: Kenya Millers Fortification Index
4PG Award – Evidence Parity Award

mombasa-maize-millers-logo

Ezinah Bosibori Aroni, quality control officer at Mombasa, talks about the company’s commitment to fortification and experience with Millers for Nutrition.

Why are you a member of M4N?
We joined Millers for Nutrition to learn food fortification standards and practices.
The technical assistance and support have been valuable in improving our operations.

Tell us about your commitment to food fortification
Our commitment is closely aligned with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
compliance requirements. This dedication to quality and nutrition reinforces our position as a responsible miller within the Kenyan milling sector. We’re constantly working to enhance our fortification processes to ensure we deliver adequately fortified and nutritious products to our customers.

Ezinah Bosibori Aroni, quality control officer at Mombasa Maize Millers

How did the Millers for Nutrition training impact your business?
We recently participated in comprehensive training programs supported by Millers for Nutrition, focusing on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). These trainings have significantly impacted and improved our company operations and practices in several ways namely:

– We’ve developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have streamlined our
workflows, enhancing efficiency and clarity in roles and responsibilities.

– Our company has been recognized by the Nakuru County Health and Safety Department as a benchmark for GMP – safety and health standards.

– We’ve strengthened our rapport with customers by developing robust product recall
procedures, ensuring trust and reliability in our products.

What advice do you have for other millers?
I encourage millers to join the coalition and take advantage of training programs. The knowledge gained from these programs can significantly improve operations, food safety standards, and overall product quality. Additionally, implementing SOPs and working towards certifications like ISO can set them apart in the market and build customer trust.