Stakeholders Unite to Develop Food Fortification Communication Campaign
In a pivotal move to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies, Millers for Nutrition is partnering with key stakeholders in Kenya and Tanzania to roll out innovative food fortification campaigns. In Kenya, where the Ministry of Health and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) lead the initiative, Millers for Nutrition recently attended a communications workshop that included government officials, nutrition experts, and industry leaders.
Similarly, in Tanzania, Millers for Nutrition and GAIN are working together to integrate communications professionals with technical experts, ensuring effective messaging to support national fortification strategies.
This collaborative approach underscores the critical role of stakeholder engagement in scaling food fortification efforts with millers playing a pivotal part in improving public health outcomes through the fortification of staple foods like maize flour, wheat flour, and edible oils.
Micronutrient deficiencies remain a significant public health challenge, affecting millions of people, limiting their potential for growth and development. Food fortification is an efficient and cost-effective solution that offers national populations access to a nutritious diet through staple foods already being consumed. By enhancing the quality of foods, millers play a direct role in improving health outcomes and supporting national development goals.
The workshop in Nairobi brought together a diverse range of government and fortification stakeholders to deliberate how best to roll out a national fortification campaign that would be effective in communicating the benefits of consuming adequately fortified foods. County health officials shared insights from local communities, while Ministry of Health representatives outlined how stakeholders can align efforts with national health priorities and policies.
“Communications expertise is essential to translating complex technical information into clear, actionable messages,” said Dr. Brenda Obura, head of food safety at Kenya’s Ministry of Health. “When we get the messaging right, we can effectively drive behavior change and improve health outcomes. This is particularly true for food fortification, where public understanding and acceptance are crucial to success.”
Following the workshop is a process to test campaign content with diverse audiences. Millers for Nutrition will support the effort by reviewing communication materials and participating in campaign planning.
SVHG Agri Foods: A Story of Growth and Improvement
At the forefront of India’s food industry, SVHG Agri Solutions has experienced a transformative impact since partnering with Millers for Nutrition. According to miller Harshrav Shukla, this collaboration has far-reaching benefits, extending beyond technical assistance to encompass significant enhancements in operational efficiency, product quality, and strategic networking.
This multifaceted impact has positioned the company for sustainable growth, empowering them to better serve their customers while staying ahead in the competitive food landscape. SVHG Agri Solutions credits Millers for Nutrition for helping pinpoint technical deficiencies, particularly in dosing and flow rate of fortificants. For example, when a screw broke, which seemed like a small problem but caused quality issues during the mixing of fortificants, Abhishek Shukla, country program manager at Millers for Nutrition India, and his team were quick to offer support and connect SVHG with experts.
This collaboration enhanced the company’s understanding of best practices and expanded the organization’s professional network. Abhishek introduced the team to other fortified rice kernels producers who practice good manufacturing principles. The connections opened new horizons for SVHG Agri Solutions, enabling them to benchmark their processes against industry leaders and adopt advanced quality control measures. The company is now better positioned to improve business efficiencies.
Harshrav said Millers for Nutrition also helped identify opportunities to reduce production costs. Additionally, the insights they gained influenced their approach to customer service, enabling SVHG to better serve customers and respond to their needs effectively. The collaboration has also fostered a culture of learning and improvement among the staff, boosting their performance and engagement.
As SVHG Agri Solutions continues to grow, Harshrav anticipates that future enhancements will positively impact its production capacity and product quality. And with Abhishek and his team available for support, they feel confident in their ability to troubleshoot challenges and resolve issues.
February 2025 Miller of Month: Iddi Mvungi, Compliance Manager, Bakhresa Millers, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Food vehicle: Wheat Flour, Maize Flour
February’s Miller of the Month Iddi Mvungi, Compliance Manager for Bakhresa Millers, talks about the company’s commitment to fortification and experience with Millers for Nutrition.
Can you talk about your commitment to food fortification?
At Bakhresa, our commitment to food fortification is rooted in the belief that enhancing the nutritional quality of staple foods like wheat flour can significantly improve public health. By incorporating essential nutrients into our flour, we aim to combat malnutrition and support healthier communities. Our focus on fortification not only aligns with regulatory standards but also reflects our dedication to providing Tanzanians with high-quality products that contribute to their well-being.
How has joining Millers for Nutrition impacted your business?
The technical assistance we receive from Millers for Nutrition has been transformative for our operations. Their expertise in flour fortification and industry best practices has enabled us to enhance the quality of our products, streamline our processes, and ensure compliance with nutritional standards. This support has not only strengthened our market position but also built consumer trust in our fortified offerings. By collaborating with Millers for Nutrition, we have improved our operational efficiency and reduced costs associated with fortification, allowing us to pass those savings on to our customers.
How do you inform consumers about the benefits of fortified flour?
Educating consumers about the advantages of fortified flour is a crucial part of our mission at Bakhresa. We recognize that many consumers may choose cheaper alternatives without understanding the nutritional benefits they forgo. To address this, we train our sales and marketing teams on the importance of consuming adequately fortified products. By partnering with organizations like Millers for Nutrition, we aim to amplify our messaging through targeted communication strategies that inform the public about how fortified flour can positively impact their health. Our goal is to empower consumers with knowledge so they can make informed choices that enhance their well-being.
What advice do you have for other millers?
My advice to fellow millers is to embrace food fortification as a vital component of your business strategy. Prioritizing the nutritional content of your products not only benefits public health but also differentiates your brand in a competitive market. Stay open to innovation and continuously seek out training and collaboration opportunities, such as those offered by Millers for Nutrition. By doing so, you can enhance your operational efficiency and ultimately contribute to a healthier population while ensuring the sustainability of your business.
Strategic Fortification Partner Spotlight: dsm-firmenich
In a recent chat with Sridhar NB, dsm-firmenich’s Senior Business Development Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Health, Nutrition & Care, he shared his commitment to addressing global nutrition challenges through food fortification. Driven by the reality that many people struggle to access even one nutritious meal a day, Shridhar finds fulfillment in developing sustainable fortification solutions. His work with rice millers has been particularly impactful, helping them transform a commodity product into a vehicle for better nutrition.
What inspired you to join the food fortification journey?
Knowing that people are struggling, being part of the food fortification journey brings me immense satisfaction and fulfillment. In today’s world, accessing a single nutritious meal daily has become a challenge. Staple food fortification is a cost-effective intervention that ensures essential vitamins and minerals reach consumers daily. The technology and methods required for staple food fortification are well-established and accessible globally. Our goal is to develop sustainable, win-win business models for fortifying staple foods.
What is the most memorable feedback you have received from a miller you have trained or worked with?
In the rice fortification space, rice is often viewed as a commodity product. However, rice millers are increasingly interested in fortifying rice not only to provide essential micronutrients to consumers but also to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Globally, millers often require guidance and support to implement fortification effectively. One memorable feedback I received was from a miller who, after successfully launching and implementing fortified rice, expressed interest in innovating further by incorporating flavor, protein and fibre. This enthusiasm for continuous improvement and innovation was truly encouraging feedback.
What success story from the field has stayed with you?
One success story that motivates me is the global progress in staple food fortification. A key indicator of this success is the increasing amount of fortified rice, which is growing rapidly. Notably, Asia has seen rapid implementation, while Africa is also making significant strides. Witnessing the expansion of fortification efforts across geographies inspires me to continue supporting this vital work.
What unique value did you find being a part of Millers for Nutrition?
As part of Millers for Nutrition, I have found that our unique value lies in sharing technical knowledge to ensure high-quality fortification across the entire value chain. We achieve this through various training methods, including on-the-job training, classroom sessions, etc.
A Bold Step Toward Better Nutrition in Ethiopia
Millers for Nutrition Ethiopia was officially launched December 2024, heralding a significant step in combating malnutrition across the nation. The event comes at a critical time, aligning seamlessly with Ethiopia’s National Food Fortification Program which was introduced in August 2024 mandating the fortification of wheat flour, edible oil, and salt to combat pervasive nutrient deficiencies.
Millers for Nutrition places food processors at the forefront of fortification efforts, recognizing their vital role in improving public health. “Millers for Nutrition is proud to align with the Ethiopian government’s vision for food fortification. By placing the food processing sector at the heart of this initiative, we recognize the vital role they play in ensuring that fortified foods reach Ethiopian households. Together, we aim to provide practical support and foster partnerships that make fortification a seamless, impactful, and sustainable part of your work,” said Rizwuan Yusufali, Director of the initiative.
Millers often face challenges including increasing food prices, the rising cost of fortification, and competition from imports. “Fortification comes with its challenges, but we are here to provide practical support and real solutions to ensure fortified foods are not only the norm but also accessible to all Ethiopians,” Yusufali stressed.
To address these hurdles, Millers for Nutrition facilitates industry-specific training, encourages public-private collaborations, and supports affordable production of fortified foods by improving the capacities and business practices of wheat and maize millers, and edible oil processors.
By combining robust government support, industry partnerships, and innovative strategies, Millers for Nutrition aims to transform Ethiopia’s nutritional landscape by ensuring that millions of Ethiopians have access to adequately fortified staple foods.
With an ambitious global goal of improving nutrition for 1 billion people by 2026, the program is poised to make fortified foods a staple in Ethiopian households, building a healthier and more prosperous future.
Millers for Nutrition is supported by Strategic Fortification Partners: BASF, BioAnalyt, Bühler, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin; 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 to benefit society and 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 coalition can learn more at millersfornutrition.com.
Millers for Nutrition Participates in Market Linkages Forum – Enabling Last Mile Distribution
Millers for Nutrition Kenya members were recently invited to participate in TechnoServe’s Market Linkages Forum. The event offered millers opportunities to engage with key stakeholders in the food distribution sector and address challenges linked to last mile distribution.
Technoserve, through its Implementing Inclusive Growth Strategies (IIGS) program and Millers for Nutrition organized the inaugural event bringing together key players from Kenya’s food system to address the critical challenge of providing nutritious foods to every Kenyan, regardless of location or income.
“Our shared goal is to ensure fortified, nutritious food is accessible to all, not just a few,” said Kris Ansin, TechnoServe Country Director. “Together, we are building a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable food distribution network.”
Achieving this goal requires strategic partnerships.“Collaboration across the value chain helps us solve challenges like logistics, storage, and quality control,” said Joyce Njogu, Head of Consulting and Business Development at Kenya Association of Manufacturers. “Together, we can enhance efficiency and ensure products reach consumers in time and at a competitive price.”
The conversation also shifted toward technology, which plays a critical role in expanding access to markets. “Technology platforms are becoming game-changers, giving small- and medium-sized enterprises easier entry into markets and helping them build their brands, ensuring they remain competitive,” said Elizabeth Cushny, Technoserve Senior Program Manager for East Africa. Support for the event was provided by Visa Foundation and Gates Foundation.
Millers for Nutrition Launches in Ethiopia to Combat Malnutrition
On December 3, 2024, Millers for Nutrition launched in Ethiopia marking a significant step in the country’s fight against malnutrition. The launch brought together key players from the government, private sector, and development partners.
Millers for Nutrition is a coalition of key food fortification stakeholders dedicated to helping millers fortify staple foods including wheat flour, edible oil, and salt with vital micronutrients. This aligns with the Ethiopian government’s recent National Food Fortification Program, which mandates the fortification of these staples.
“Millers for Nutrition is proud to align with the Ethiopian government’s vision for food fortification. By placing the food processing sector at the heart of this initiative, we recognize the vital role they play in ensuring that fortified foods reach Ethiopian households,” said Rizwuan Yusufali, Millers for Nutrition – Program Director. “Fortification is not just about adding nutrients; it is about creating value—value for consumers, families, and the future of Ethiopia.”
The coalition’s innovative 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 for Nutrition operates in eight countries across Africa and Asia.
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