Tag Archive for: Bangladesh

Training for Fortified Rice Blending Millers on QC, QA and SOP for Production of Fortified Rice.

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Collaboration of Millers for Nutrition Coalition (powered by TechnoServe), Nutrition International and World Food Programme successfully organized a two-days training program on Production, Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Rice Fortification. The training, held in two batches; 1st batch on 22–23 November 2025 and 2nd batch on 24-25 November 2025 at BRAC CDM, Savar, Dhaka, brought together fortified rice blending millers from across the country. A total of 140 fortified rice blending mill owners & representatives participated in the program.

The primary objective of the program was to enhance the capacity and technical skills of blending millers in rice fortification production, quality control, quality assurance, and adherence to SOPs, thereby supporting the efficient and consistent production and distribution of fortified rice under the Social Safety Net Programme (SSNP) run by the Government of Bangladesh.

Expert resource persons from TechnoServe, World Food Programme (WFP), Nutrition International (NI), Bühler, Directorate General of Food (DG Food), and Department of Women Affairs (DWA) facilitated training sessions.

A brief inaugural session was held on the first day, with the Chief Guest Mr. Md. Abul Hasanath Humayun Kabir, Director General of Directorate General of Food (DG Food). Md. Firoz Uddin Khalifa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Maribeth Black, Deputy Head of Program, WFP; and Sayed Julfiqur Mahmud Niaz, President, Bangladesh Fortified Rice Millers Association (BFRMA), were present as Special Guests.

Md. Guljer Ahmmed, Country Program Manager, TechnoServe; Dr. Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman, Senior Programme Policy Officer, WFP; and Md. Akib Abrar, Program Officer, Nutrition International (NI), Bangladesh, delivered welcome remarks.

All speakers highlighted the critical importance of robust Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) practices in fortified rice blending to ensure the production and distribution of high-quality fortified rice under the Social Safety Net Programmes (SSNP) of the Government of Bangladesh.

Mr. Md Abul Hasanath Humayun Kabir, Directorate General of Food (DG Food), attended as Chief Guest, he emphasized the important role played by Fortified Rice Blending Millers for supporting Government on production and distribution of fortified rice maintaining the quality and ensuring food safety. He commended TechnoServe, NI and WFP’s continued efforts in strengthening Bangladesh’s food fortification ecosystem.

Following the opening ceremony, participants engaged in a series of thematic modules, including classroom lectures, technical presentations, practical demonstrations, group discussions, Q&A sessions, and hands-on exercises focused on monitoring and inspection of fortified rice. Technical experts from TechnoServe, WFP, Bühler and NI led the sessions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the training curriculum.

The event concluded with strong commitments from TechnoServe, WFP and NI to continue supporting the wider expansion and acceleration of the rice fortification program. Participating millers also shared practical recommendations aimed at further strengthening program implementation at the field level.

Md. Guljer Ahmmed, Country Program Manager, TechnoServe; Dr. Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman, Senior Programme Policy Officer, WFP; and Md. Akib Abrar, Program Officer, Nutrition International (NI), Bangladesh, also delivered their concluding remarks, expressing appreciation for the active participation and cooperation of all attendees.

In closing session of the last day, Md. Jamal Hossain, Additional Director General, Directorate General of Food (DG Food), attended as Chief Guest. He emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to rice fortification program and expected fortified rice blending millers’ strong commitment to production and distribution of good quality fortified rice in the rice fortification program. Extended thanks to the participants, stakeholders, and development partners for their contributions and support to the training program before formally declaring the event closed.

The event concluded with commitments from TechnoServe, WFP, NI, to continue supporting blending millers in producing good quality fortified rice in SSNPs.

Note of Thanks from Ruposhi Rice and Pushti Mills, Bangladesh

We are thrilled to share the success story of Ruposhi Rice & Pushti Mills Ltd, who recently achieved the prestigious FSSC 22000 V6 Certificate. 

Read on as they express their heartfelt gratitude for the technical guidance and expertise provided by Millers for Nutrition, highlighting the impact of this collaboration on their food safety management systems.

Millers for Nutrition Launches in Bangladesh, Pledges to Improve Nutrition Landscape

Millers for Nutrition Bangladesh recently launched at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka. The event drew significant attention from the miller community, development sector, industry associations, and prominent industry leaders.

Chief Guest, Mr. S M Ferdous Alam, Director General of Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution (BSTI) in his address stressed the importance of food fortification in improving public health and encouraged stakeholders to join Millers for Nutrition to help to strengthen “South-South Collaboration” amongst the Millers of Asia and Africa. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Md. Taherul Islam Khan, Director of Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC). He highlighted the significance of staple food fortification in addressing malnutrition.

A panel discussion: “Fortified Futures: Unlocking the Potential of Staple Food Fortification in Bangladesh” featured industry experts, including Faria Yasmin, Sayed Julfiqur Mahmud, Mahbub Baset and Prof Dr. Gulzarul Aziz. The discussion, moderated by Dr. SM Mustafizur Rahman, highlighted several key challenges and solutions for promoting fortified staples in Bangladesh, including raising awareness about fortified rice and flour, addressing misconceptions about their “naturalness” and safety as well as improving the affordability of fortified foods

Panelists emphasized the need for mandatory rice fortification, government incentives, and collaborations with global organizations to support millers.The discussion also included the importance of ensuring nutrient stability and bioavailability in fortified foods, reducing testing lead times, and exploring local premix production to increase affordability and efficiency.

The event culminated with the announcement of the Champions of Food Fortification and Nutrition Awards, recognizing millers and brands driving positive change in India’s nutrition landscape. Awardees included:

Industry Ambassador of Food Fortification and Nutrition: Faria Yasmin, Chief Business Officer, ACI Foods Ltd.

Voice of Fortification Excellence: Sayed Julfiqur Mahmud, President, BFRMA

Woman Leader in Food Fortification and Nutrition: Dr. Naznin Afroz, Chairman, NK Foods and Proprietor, Imperia Foods

Champion Mill of Fortification and Nutrition: Ruposhi Flour, Rice & Pushti Mills Limited

Fortification Leadership Award: ACI Foods Ltd, Meghna Group of Industries, and Bangladesh Edible Oil Ltd.

Rising Milling Star of Food Fortification and Nutrition: IFAD Multi Products Ltd (Wheat Flour), Jahan Food & Agro Pvt. Ltd (Rice), and Bondhan Agro Food Industries (Rice)

FRK Manufacturing Excellence Award: United Fortification Industries, Kamal Auto Rice Mill, and Nourish Foods Ltd.

March 2025 Miller of Month: Faria Yasmin, Chief Business Officer, ACI Foods & Commodity Brands, Bangladesh

March’s edition of Miller of the Month, focuses on Faria Yasmin, Chief Business Officer at ACI Foods & Commodity Brands, in Bangladesh.

ACI Food started fortifying oil in response to Bangladesh government mandates. What motivated the decision to also fortify rice and wheat flour, and how has the company’s commitment to fortification changed over time?

ACI has always been committed to improving the nutritional landscape of Bangladesh. While oil fortification was a regulatory requirement, we saw a larger opportunity in addressing micronutrient deficiencies through staple foods like rice and flour, which are consumed daily across all socio-economic groups.

Our motivation came from the high rate of malnutrition in Bangladesh, particularly the fact that 29% of children and 45% of women suffer from deficiencies in iron, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin A, which have long-term health and economic impacts. Given that rice is a staple for over 200 million Bangladeshis, ACI became the first to commercially launch fortified rice in the country. ACI’s rice portfolio is the most diverse in Bangladesh, offering a wide range of varieties tailored to different consumer preferences and socio-economic segments. We have already fortified three categories of rice with six essential nutrients and have several more fortified rice variants in the pipeline, targeting different types of rice for different consumer groups across various income levels. We strongly believe ACI Pure Fortified Rice would be a game changer in the industry for combating malnutrition in Bangladesh.

Similarly, fortified wheat flour provides another effective way to deliver essential nutrients to consumers. Recognizing the widespread consumption of wheat-based products in Bangladesh, we have recently launched ACI Pure Power Flour (Fortified Atta), enriched with 10 essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iron, calcium, zinc, and key B vitamins. This fortified atta is designed to help address micronutrient deficiencies while ensuring consumers continue to enjoy their everyday meals without changing their eating habits.

Over time, our commitment has gone beyond just following rules, we now focus on educating consumers, keeping prices affordable, and building strong partnerships to make fortified foods a regular part of people’s diets. Our collaboration with NGOs, policymakers, and global nutrition initiatives reflects our long-term investment in food fortification as a sustainable business and public health solution.

What specific benefits or support have you received from Millers for Nutrition that have helped your business grow or improve?

Millers for Nutrition has been a great support in our fortification journey. They’ve helped us with technical guidance, making sure we get the right process for nutrient retention, blending, and quality control so that our fortified products actually make a difference. They also connected us with other millers, creating a space where we can share experiences, learn from each other, and tackle challenges together. This has been really useful in improving how we approach fortification.

Another significant contribution has been highlighting ACI’s fortification efforts internationally, ensuring our work in Bangladesh is recognized in global nutrition discussions. This has provided us with opportunities to showcase our initiatives, share our impact, and engage with international organizations working towards similar goals. They’ve also introduced us to global experts in food fortification, giving us access to the latest knowledge and best practices. This has helped us refine our products and stay updated on what’s working in other markets. Their support has helped us improve not just our fortified products but also our reach and impact. It’s been a valuable partnership that keeps pushing us forward.

Can you share any innovative marketing or promotional initiatives you’ve undertaken to raise awareness about fortified wheat flour and rice?

We have taken a 360 degree approach to raise awareness about ACI Pure Fortified Rice, ensuring consumers understand its importance in fighting malnutrition. We started with a television commercial (TVC) designed to connect emotionally with consumers, especially parents. The TVC highlights the importance of fortified rice in a child’s development and addresses the malnutrition problem in Bangladesh. The message reinforces how ACI Pure Fortified Rice can play a vital role in ensuring a healthier future for children and families, making nutrition a key priority for parents.

To further expand the message, we worked with social media influencers, nutritionists, and health-lifestyle advocates to engage with consumers online. Through educational videos, recipes, and expert discussions, we made fortification a relatable and easy-to-understand concept, helping people see how fortified rice can be incorporated into their daily meals.

In addition, we launched billboard campaigns in high-traffic areas, using clear, simple messaging to educate people about the benefits of fortified rice. Alongside this, we conducted market activation programs, where our teams directly interacted with consumers and retailers. Through face-to-face conversations, leaflets, and scientific data, we explained the importance of fortification, ensuring that both customers and shop owners understood how ACI Pure Fortified Rice could improve nutrition and overall health. By combining TVC, social media, outdoor advertising, and on-ground activations, we have created a strong and effective awareness campaign, making ACI Pure Fortified Rice a trusted choice for better nutrition.

What advice do you have for other millers?

Millers have a crucial role in improving nutrition through fortified staple foods, but the impact goes beyond just meeting regulatory requirements. Fortification should be seen as a long-term investment rather than a compliance obligation. It builds consumer trust, strengthens brand equity, and contributes to public health in a meaningful way.

One of the biggest challenges is consumer awareness. Without proper education, even the best fortified products can struggle to gain traction. It’s important to clearly communicate the benefits of fortified foods through packaging, advertising, and direct engagement with consumers. Simple messaging that explains how these products improve health can make a real difference in adoption.

Collaboration is also key. Working with government bodies, NGOs, and industry alliances can help expand fortification efforts and ensure they are financially viable and widely accepted. At the same time, maintaining quality and transparency is essential. Consumers need to trust that fortified products deliver the promised nutritional benefits.

The future of food fortification in Bangladesh depends on collective action. By working together, millers can play a pivotal role in transforming the country’s nutrition landscape, making fortified foods a regular part of everyday diets.

Dhaka Tribune – ACI Pure Flour launches ‘Fortified Atta’

February 16, 2025

https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/business/373868/aci-pure-flour-launches-%E2%80%98fortified-atta%E2%80%99

The Business Standard – ACI Pure Flour launches fortified flour enriched with 10 vitamins, minerals

February 18, 2025

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/corporates/aci-pure-flour-launches-fortified-atta-10-vitamins-and-minerals-1070296

The Daily Star – ACI Pure Flour launches fortified flour enriched with 10 vitamins, minerals

Tuesday, Feb 18

https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/aci-pure-flour-launches-fortified-flour-enriched-10-vitamins-minerals-3826551

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.

Food Fortification: The Unsung Hero of Global Nutrition – World Food Day 2024

In the fight against malnutrition, there is a humble, yet transformative solution that has quietly improved the health of billions around the world: food fortification. This simple intervention—adding essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods—has made a profound impact on global health, yet it often goes unnoticed. As we celebrate World Food Day 2024, it’s time to shine a spotlight on this unsung hero, whose benefits are more relevant today than ever before.

Food fortification isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about improving lives, economies, and the future of our world. It’s the reason iodine deficiency disorders have nearly disappeared, why devastating diseases like beriberi and pellagra are now rare, and why the rates of neural tube defects, a major cause of infant mortality, have plummeted. This simple, cost-effective solution has saved millions of lives and has quietly been a cornerstone of public health for decades. Yet, in global conversations on nutrition, it rarely takes center stage.

A Silent, Global Crisis

Right now, over 2 billion people—almost one in three—suffer from “hidden hunger.” This isn’t about empty stomachs; it’s about the lack of essential nutrients like iron, iodine, vitamin A, and folic acid, which are crucial for healthy development. The consequences are severe: stunted growth, weakened immune systems, cognitive impairments, and even death. For example, iron deficiency affects 1.6 billion people and contributes to 20% of maternal deaths worldwide. This is more than just a health issue—it’s an economic one too. According to the World Bank, micronutrient deficiencies cost developing countries up to $3 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses.

The Power of Fortification: Proven Results

Food fortification is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against hidden hunger. Take iodized salt, for example. Since its introduction in the 1990s, iodine fortification has reduced global iodine deficiency by over 80%, virtually eliminating iodine deficiency disorders like goiter. Nearly 90% of the world’s population now consumes iodized salt, saving millions of lives and improving cognitive development, especially in children.

Similarly, fortifying wheat and maize flour with folic acid has been a game-changer in the fight against birth defects. In countries with mandatory fortification, neural tube defects—such as spina bifida—have dropped by 46%. In the U.S. alone, fortification has prevented 1,300 neural tube defect-affected pregnancies every year since 1998. These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent lives changed and futures transformed.

In Zambia, where flour is fortified with iron, anemia in women of reproductive age dropped by 10% in just a few years. The impact is clear: fortification works, it’s affordable, and it reaches people where they are—no drastic changes in behavior or diet needed.

A Changing World, A Growing Need

The world is changing fast, and with it, so are people’s diets. By 2050, 68% of the global population will live in urban areas, up from just 30% in 1950. This shift toward urban living is driving changes in food consumption, with more people relying on processed and packaged foods. While these foods are convenient, they often lack the essential nutrients found in traditional diets. In sub-Saharan Africa, urbanization is leading to increased consumption of refined grains, stripped of nutrients during processing. The result? A growing nutritional gap, one that food fortification is perfectly poised to fill.

The Global Nutrition Report of 2021 warns that in low- and middle-income countries, diets are becoming increasingly energy-dense but nutrient-poor, contributing to rising obesity and non-communicable diseases like diabetes. In these environments, fortifying staple foods with critical nutrients like iron, vitamin A, and folic acid can address the double burden of malnutrition—undernutrition and obesity—at the same time. Food fortification offers a pragmatic solution that can adapt to these changing realities without overhauling dietary habits.

A Pragmatic Approach: TechnoServe’s Millers for Nutrition

So, how do we make food fortification even more effective? By working with the people who make the food we eat. That’s exactly what TechnoServe’s Millers for Nutrition initiative does—engage with private-sector millers, the unsung heroes who ensure that the food reaching millions of people is not just filling, but nutritious.

Unlike traditional approaches that focus on government regulations, TechnoServe’s strategy is simple but powerful: we give millers the tools, technical assistance, and training they need to voluntarily fortify their products. Our approach is pragmatic, scalable, and sustainable. By 2023, TechnoServe had partnered with 500 millers across Africa and Asia, impacting the nutrition of over 200 million people.

The initiative is driven by competition and innovation. For instance, in Kenya and Nigeria, TechnoServe introduced the Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI) and the Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI). These indices encourage millers to compete on quality and compliance. The result? A 40% improvement in fortification levels among participating millers in Kenya, ensuring that fortified products meet nutritional standards and reach those who need them most.

Scaling Up: The Future of Fortification

The successes seen in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and other countries are just the beginning. More than 85 countries now have mandatory fortification programs, but billions of people—especially in low- and middle-income countries—still do not have consistent access to fortified foods. Scaling up fortification efforts, expanding access, and ensuring that fortified foods reach the most vulnerable populations is the next frontier.

On this World Food Day 2024, the message is clear: food fortification is a simple, effective solution that remains essential in the fight against malnutrition. As the world’s populations shift towards urban living and dietary patterns evolve, fortification is becoming more critical than ever before. Through initiatives like Millers for Nutrition, TechnoServe is showing how public-private collaboration can drive real, lasting change.

Together, we have the tools to build a healthier, more resilient world—one fortified grain at a time. Food fortification may be the unsung hero of global nutrition, but its power to improve lives is undeniable. Let’s make sure it gets the recognition it deserves as a cornerstone of our global strategy to end malnutrition. After all, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most powerful.

Source: Rizwuan Yusifali, Program Director, Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiative Through Enterprise (IGNITE)

Sector Wide Training in Bangladesh (Edible Oil)

First Sector Wide Training in Bangladesh

Millers For Nutrition recently hosted a Sector Wide Training on Advancing Edible Oil Fortification and Packaging Innovation in collaboration with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. This event which recently concluded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, analyzed the current landscape, addressed challenges, and charted the path forward for edible oil fortification and packaging innovation. Specifically, the event focused on affordable packaging options for upgrading loose oil to hygienic, fortified  oil. Fortification Partners BASF, DSM- Firmenich, Muhlenchemie, Piramal and Hexagon were also in attendance offering valuable insight into global trends and best practices in Edible Oil Fortification.