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

February 2025 Miller of Month: Iddi Mvungi, Compliance Manager, Bakhresa Millers, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

December 2024 Miller of Month: Veerabhadra Boddu, West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), Nigeria

Food vehicle: Soybean oil

December’s Miller of the Month Veerabhadra Boddu, head of quality for West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), talks about the company’s commitment to fortification and experience with Millers for Nutrition.

Why did you join Millers for Nutrition?

WASIL is a manufacturer of Golden Terra Soya Oil and we are proud members of Millers for Nutrition because of our commitment to food fortification and our compliance with regulatory standards. Joining Millers for Nutrition as food producers and complying with this regulation is a value-added advantage to our company because we get all the support that we need to follow mandatory regulatory requirements and also commit to the all round availability of vitamin A in our products.

Tell us about your commitment to food fortification

WASIL is very committed to food fortification as it’s a regulatory compliance and to do that, we test each and every batch of oil that leaves our factory with the use of a sophisticated equipment called i-Chroma check 3 to ensure that each oil produced and sold meets the minimum requirement of 20,000iu/kg.

What’s your proudest achievement?
Our proudest achievement is that we are part of the fastest growing company in 2022, also in 2024, we were awarded an Excellence award at GLOBOIL 2024. Additionally, WASIL’s Managing Director, Mr. Ipsit Charabarti was named GLOBOIL International Professional Of 2024 for his Excellent Leadership and dedication. Lastly, 2024 Statista and Financial Times recognized WASIL two times as the fastest growing organization in Africa.

How are you involved in your community?

WASIL is located at Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria and we collaborate with regulatory bodies such NAFDAC, NESREA, SON, FCCPC etc. and international regulatory bodies by following all regulations both in the international and local communities to ensure that the food we sell is fortified and safe for the people of the community who are the end users. We are also involved in many community development projects like constructing drainage, ensuring water is treated before sending out our waste water. We also give various services such as training soya farmers and women in shea nut. We are involved in the continuous development of our staff by impacting knowledge through various training as it is required for different skill development.

What would you tell other millers about joining Millers for Nutrition?
Join Millers for Nutrition to gain knowledge and get the support that will give you an advantage over other brands. Millers for Nutrition offer millers various platforms that will help your brand to be known and it will help you to know where you are standing in compliance in comparison with other brands, so as to make improvements and be committed to get to the top.

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
atella@tns.org

Juliana Jacob
Communications Specialist, TechnoServe
jjacob@tns.org

Millers for Nutrition Participates in Market Linkages Forum: Enabling Last Mile Distribution

Visa Foundation’s implementing Inclusive Growth Strategies, along with Technoserve and Millers for Nutrition recently organized the inaugural Market Linkages Forum. This event brought together stakeholders from across Kenya’s food system to address a critical challenge of providing nutritious foods to every Kenyan, regardless of location or income. 

The forum focused on the impact of technology in revolutionizing last-mile distribution. Speakers from various sectors highlighted how digital tools enable businesses to connect with consumers more efficiently.

“Our mission is to make fortified, nutritious food accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few,” stated Kris Ansin, TechnoServe’s Country Director. “We are working collaboratively to create a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable food distribution network.”

This ambitious goal requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders. Joyce Njogu, Head of Consulting and Business Development at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, emphasized the importance of cooperation: “By fostering collaboration across the entire value chain, we can effectively tackle critical challenges such as logistics, storage, and quality control. “Together, we can enhance efficiency and ensure products reach consumers in time and at a competitive price.”

Technology also 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, Regional Program Quality Manager for TechnoServe. 

The event was sponsored by the Visa Foundation and Gates Foundation, with support from  Millers for Nutrition.The increased focus on quality has also boosted employee morale and fostered a positive work environment leading to enhanced productivity. “The Technical Assistance provided through Millers for Nutrition has not only improved our operational efficiency but also significantly enhanced the work experience for our employees, said Kelvin Chepkener “The combination of improved safety, clearer processes, and a shared goal has created a more positive, engaged, and productive workforce.”

Buffalo Millers’ Journey to Enhanced Production and Quality

Buffalo Millers, a maize flour milling company in Kenya, has experienced remarkable growth, increasing its milling capacity from 20 metric tons of maize per day to 100 metric tons, and is now operating at a capacity of 220 metric tons. Over the years, the company has undergone significant transformation. With the support of Millers for Nutrition, Buffalo Millers has effectively managed its growth, improving product quality, expanding its reach, and ensuring a positive customer experience. The company has made notable strides in operations, including advancements in quality control, fortification practices, and food safety management.

This success can be attributed to several key factors, including a strong commitment from top management to quality and continuous improvement, streamlined processes, and a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience. For instance, the facility has significantly improved operational efficiency, reducing grain truck unloading times from over two hours to just 30 minutes, enhancing traceability of the final product, and optimizing production capacity.

“Our ability to produce more while maintaining high quality has unlocked new market opportunities and strengthened our customer relationships,” said Ruth Butende, Quality Control Personnel at Buffalo Millers. “Since receiving technical assistance, we’ve made substantial improvements to our processes, ensuring that tasks are executed accurately and that every staff member understands their role. We now use detailed checklists for each procedure, streamlining workflows and ensuring the quality of our final products.”

As part of their improvements, Buffalo Millers has revamped its Standard Operating Procedures to prioritize safety, achieving the prestigious Diamond Mark. This achievement has positioned the company to pursue ISO 22000 certification, an international standard for Food Safety Management Systems awarded to mills that consistently provide safe products and services.

The enhanced focus on quality has also boosted employee morale, fostering a positive work environment and increasing productivity, which in turn leads to a better customer experience. “The technical assistance provided by Millers for Nutrition has not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also significantly improved our employees’ work experience,” said Kelvin Chepkener. “The combination of improved safety, clearer processes, and a shared vision has created a more positive, engaged, and productive workforce.”