Millers for Nutrition hosts National Training Program for Fortified Rice Blending Millers

In a significant step towards improving nutrition in Bangladesh, Millers for Nutrition, in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP) and Nutrition International (NI), organized a national-level training program for fortified rice blending millers. The two-day residential training, held in Sreemangal, Moulavibazar District, aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of approximately 150 mill owners and managers on optimal blending of fortified rice.

The training focused on Good Manufacturing Practices, Quality Control, and Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the quality of fortified rice and its optimal blending ratio. Technical experts from TechnoServe, WFP, NI, and government officials from DG Food and DWA facilitated the training.

The event was graced by the presence of Director General of DWA, Ms. Keya Khan and Director of DWA, Zakia Afroz. The training program is part of a larger effort to address micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh, where rice is a staple food ¹.

By fortifying rice with essential vitamins and minerals, the program aims to improve the nutritional quality of food for vulnerable populations. The training will enable millers to produce high-quality fortified rice, which will be supplied to government social safety net programs, including the Food Friendly Program and Vulnerable Women Benefit Program.

Millers for Nutrition Coalition Launched in Balochistan, Pakistan to promote Food Fortification

Quetta, Balochistan – TechnoServe, in collaboration with Nutrition International and Pakistan Flour Mills Association, launched the Millers for Nutrition initiative in Balochistan Province. The event aimed to introduce the coalition to key stakeholders in the milling industry and promote food fortification efforts in the region.

The launch event featured key presentations by Mr. Rizwan Yusufali, Program Director at TechnoServe, and Mr. Zameer Haider, National Program Manager at Nutrition International. They emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance nutritional standards and highlighted the benefits of the Millers for Nutrition coalition.

Mr. Yusufali presented a detailed outline of the coalition’s objectives and extended an invitation to millers across the province to engage in flour fortification initiatives. He addressed the importance of addressing malnutrition issues in Balochistan, where the situation is particularly concerning.

Mr. Haider provided a thorough overview of the Millers for Nutrition coalition and highlighted the benefits the industry would gain by joining this meaningful initiative.

The event was also graced by distinguished guests, including Professor Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice Chancellor of BUITEMS, who commended the initiative and emphasized the shared responsibility of addressing malnutrition issues.

Ms. Badruddin Kakar, Central Chairman of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association, expressed sincere gratitude to TechnoServe and Nutrition International for launching the initiative. He underscored the importance of food fortification as a cost-effective, high-impact intervention, reaffirming the industry’s unwavering commitment to producing fortified foods that improve the population’s micronutrient status.

The launch of the Millers for Nutrition coalition in Balochistan marks a pivotal step in strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in the milling industry and advancing fortification efforts in the region. The collective commitment of industry leaders signals promising prospects for improving public health through enhanced nutritional practices.

Big News! Fortified Wheat Flour is now available in open markets!

Ahmedabad, December 19, 2024 – In a significant move to address micronutrient malnutrition, Gujarat Roller Flour Millers Association (GRFMA), Fortify Health, and Millers for Nutrition held a joint training workshop on “Wheat Flour Fortification” in Ahmedabad.

The event brought together stakeholders from the food industry, government, and civil society to discuss ways to promote wheat flour fortification and increase fortified staple products in the market.

A key highlight was the launch of fortified wheat flour by several key millers affiliated with GRFMA. The products will be available in SKUs of 5 to 50 kg in open markets. The fortified flour will help combat malnutrition for the nation’s population. According to the World Health Organization and the Global Hunger Index, approximately 35.5% of children under five are stunted, while 18.7% are wasted. Furthermore, in India, anaemia affects nearly 50% of women, 25% of men, and 67% of children under five, while 60% of the population suffers from vitamin D deficiency and 20% of adolescents lack sufficient vitamin A. Hence prioritizing nutrition is essential; a well-nourished workforce sustains effective human capital, economic growth, and social progress. 

“We are committed to supporting this initiative, which has the potential to improve the health and well-being of millions of people in India,” said Mr. Vipul Rana, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Drug Administration.

The event featured presentations and interactive sessions with experts from the food industry, government, and civil society and offered millers an opportunity to share their experiences and challenges related to wheat flour fortification.

“Wheat flour fortification is a critical step towards combating micronutrient malnutrition in India,” said Mr. Ramesh Saraf, President, GRFMA. “We are committed to promoting this initiative and working with our partners to make fortified staple products widely available in the market.”

Ethiopia joins Millers for Nutrition

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of food fortification stakeholders, is now operating in Ethiopia.

The coalition, which has a presence in eight countries, said Ethiopia has made remarkable strides in improving nutrition over the past two decades, thanks to support from the Ethiopian government and effective health and agriculture extension systems.

Read article from World-Grain here: https://www.world-grain.com/articles/20768-ethiopia-joins-millers-for-nutrition

Millers for Nutrition Initiative Launched to Tackle Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – December 2, 2024 –Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of food fortification stakeholders, officially launches in Ethiopia, marking a significant stride in the nation’s effort to combat malnutrition. Hosted by TechnoServe, the launch event will highlight the essential contributions of millers in enhancing public health through food fortification thereby improving Ethiopians’ health. 

Read article from Grain Feed and Milling Magazine here

Ethiopia boosts fight against malnutrition with ‘Millers for Nutrition’

Ethiopia boosts fight against malnutrition with ‘Millers for Nutrition’

Workshop On Oil Fortification, Quality Assurance Concluded in Pakistan

Urdu Point, Pakistan Dec 05 2024

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/workshop-on-oil-fortification-quality-assura-1889315.html

Training on edible oil fortification and quality assurance concludes in Pakistan

Bureau Report, Peshawar, December 06 2024

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1258607-training-on-edible-oil-fortification-and-quality-assurance-concludes

Empowering Edible Oil Millers for a Healthier Pakistan!

Nutrition International (NI) in association with Millers for Nutrition, recently organized a sector-wide training program for edible oil millers in Karachi, Pakistan. The program aimed to enhance their capacity in fortification, food safety, and quality assurance.

Supported by food scientists and safety experts, the training equipped millers with essential skills to sustain fortification practices and ensure adherence to safety standards in edible oil processing.

Key presentations highlighted the importance of collaboration in improving public health, micronutrient deficiencies, and quality parameters for edible oil fortification.

– Mr. Mueen Qureshi, Provincial Program Manager for Edible Oil in Sindh, emphasized the need for collective action.

– Ms. Nazish, Nutrition Specialist, discussed the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies.

– Mr. Omer Mukhtar Tarar, Principal Scientific Officer at PCSIR, shared insights on quality parameters for edible oil fortification.

– Prof. Dr. Syed Ghufran Saeed, from the University of Karachi’s Food Sciences Department, provided expertise on food safety and quality assurance.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Umer Rehan, Chairman of PVMA, commended Nutrition International and Millers for Nutrition for their efforts in enhancing the technical capacity of millers

By fostering industry-wide collaboration and enhancing food fortification practices, we are making a significant contribution to addressing Pakistan’s nutrition challenges and improving public health. 

EVERY WHEAT FLOUR MILLER IN NIGERIA JOINS MILLERS FOR NUTRITION

Entire Industry Champions Improved Nutrition Through Food Fortification

LAGOS, NIGERIA, November 27  — Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of key food fortification stakeholders dedicated to helping millers fortify staple foods, is celebrating a major milestone as all 17 wheat flour milling sites across Nigeria have joined the organization. This 100% participation from the wheat flour milling sector represents an industry-wide commitment to improve the nutritional value of wheat flour through proper fortification practices.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Nigeria wheat flour millers for their commitment to improving the nutritional value of their products,” said Ayodele Tella, Senior Program Manager. “By joining Millers for Nutrition, these millers have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the health and well-being of Nigerian consumers. This initiative will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.” 

Millers for Nutrition aims to make producing correctly fortified, nutritious food easier and more rewarding for millers.The coalition’s approach connects millers to industry experts, suppliers, social enterprises, and other solution providers to access best in class technical assistance and specialized training on industry best practices. The support from partners not only improves the nutritional value of staple foods but also increases operational efficiencies and competitiveness of the businesses. Millers are also publicly celebrated and recognized as food fortification champions at national events.

“I joined the Millers for Nutrition coalition because of their strategic collaboration with regulatory bodies in ensuring fortification compliance. In quality control, there is no room for compromise, you simply have to get it right,” said Gbelee Oluwasanmi Stanley, Quality Control Manager at Nigeria Eagles Flour Mills. “The benefits of this initiative extend far beyond compliance. The technical support provided enables us to consistently deliver products that meet the highest nutritional standards. I strongly encourage millers from other sectors to join this movement. When we prioritize nutrition through proper fortification, we are not just meeting standards, we are delivering the quality products our consumers deserve.”

Millers for Nutrition is supported by Strategic Fortification Partners: BASF, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, BioAnalyt; Regional Strategic Fortification Partners: Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal, Sanku; and a growing group of local technical partners that share a common vision of improving food processing practices and fortification excellence that ultimately benefits the society while enhancing business sustainability. The coalition is powered by TechnoServe with funding support from the Gates Foundation. Millers, food fortification stakeholders, and others interested in joining the initiative can learn more at millersfornutrition.com.

For more information, contact:

Ayodele Tella
Senior Program Manager, TechnoServe
[email protected]

Juliana Jacob
Communications Specialist, TechnoServe
[email protected]