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Private Sector Advances Action on Global Food Fortification at Hamburg Sustainability Convenings

Coalition leaders gather in Hamburg to strengthen partnerships and accelerate market-based solutions for improved nutrition.

Hamburg, Germany — Millers for Nutrition joined global leaders in Hamburg to reinforce the role of food fortification as a critical solution to addressing hidden hunger and building more resilient food systems. During the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, the private sector-led coalition welcomed the Hamburg Call to Action on Catalyzing Large-Scale Food Fortification to End Child Malnutrition by 2030 and commended the leadership of the German Government in bringing together cross-sector partners and advancing concrete actions to accelerate large-scale food fortification, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to nutritious staple foods through stronger public-private collaboration and sustainable market-driven approaches.

This comes at a time when food systems worldwide face increasing pressure to improve nutrition outcomes while ensuring affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. The Hamburg Call to Action brings together governments, businesses, multilateral organizations, civil society, and development partners around a shared commitment to accelerate large-scale food fortification as an effective strategy to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve maternal and child nutrition.

Millers for Nutrition is a private sector-led coalition that works with food processors, governments, development organizations, and industry partners to make food fortification easier, more rewarding, and more sustainable. By supporting commercially viable fortification models and strengthening the broader enabling ecosystem, the coalition helps food processors consistently produce high-quality fortified staple foods that reach consumers through open markets.

“Food fortification has the power to improve millions of lives, but lasting progress can only be achieved through partnership,” said Torsten Wywiol, CEO of Stern-Wywiol Gruppe, whose Mühlenchemie business is a founding and strategic fortification partner of Millers for Nutrition. “The Hamburg Call to Action is an important signal that governments, businesses and development organisations are united behind a common goal. By combining science, entrepreneurship and international collaboration, we can build sustainable food systems that make nutritious staple foods accessible to more people around the world.”

The coalition’s endorsement was echoed by leaders from across the food industry, who emphasized the importance of coordinated action to combat hidden hunger.

“Hidden hunger is not a challenge for any one country to solve alone. It touches every region where staple foods fall short of the vitamins and minerals people need, and food fortification remains one of the most scalable ways to close that gap,” said Sanjeev Asthana, CEO of Patanjali Foods Limited and a Miller Advisor to Millers for Nutrition. “The Hamburg Call to Action rightly puts the first 1,000 days at the centre of this effort, because ensuring mothers and children get essential nutrients during this critical window can shape the health of entire generations. Building resilient food systems for the world’s most vulnerable communities will take governments, industry, and development partners working together, and platforms like the Hamburg Sustainability Conference are exactly where that collaboration needs to happen.”

Alongside the conference, Millers for Nutrition convened its Annual Coalition Meeting, hosted by Mühlenchemie, bringing together senior representatives from strategic fortification partners, ecosystem partners, the Gates Foundation, and coalition leadership. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the coalition’s progress, share lessons from implementation across Africa and Asia, and identify priorities for expanding the impact of market-led food fortification.

Discussions focused on strengthening trusted partnerships across the food system, improving enabling market conditions, and supporting commercially sustainable business models that encourage long-term investment in quality food fortification. Participants also explored opportunities to deepen collaboration, accelerate innovation, and expand technical support to food processors as demand for fortified staple foods continues to grow.

“The progress we’ve seen isn’t simply reflected in the numbers,” said Rizwan Yusufali, Program Director of Millers for Nutrition. “It’s reflected in the trusted relationships we’ve built with more than 900 millers, allowing the coalition to understand their challenges, respond with targeted, data-driven support, and create practical solutions that make quality fortification both achievable and sustainable. Those partnerships are what ultimately transform markets and enable millions more people to access nutritious staple foods.”

As the coalition continues its work across Africa and Asia, Millers for Nutrition remains committed to advancing practical, market-based solutions that empower food processors, strengthen food systems, and improve access to fortified staple foods. The coalition’s endorsement of the Hamburg Call to Action reflects a shared belief that ending hidden hunger will require sustained collaboration across governments, industry, and development partners—and that resilient, nutrition-sensitive markets are essential to achieving that goal.

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.

WCO adopts new global trade codes for nutrition products (HS 2028)



The World Customs Organization (WCO) has published the HS 2028 amendments, effective 1 January 2028, introducing new global trade codes for key nutrition products relevant to food fortification.
These changes follow a formal amendment application by Swiss Customs, with technical support from Global Customs Compliance and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and were approved through the WCO’s Harmonized System Committee.

🔍 What’s changed?
• HS 2106.20 – A new subheading for premixes and nutrient mixtures used as industrial inputs for fortified foods and beverages
• HS 2107 – A new heading for dietary supplements as finished consumer products, clearly separated from industrial premixes
• Expanded and more detailed classifications for vitamins under HS 2936
📌 Important note:
HS 2028 does not change duty rates on its own. It improves product classification, enabling countries and regions to apply clearer, more consistent tariff treatment once adopted into national schedules.

⚙️ Why this matters for millers
✔ Reduced clearance delays and classification disputes
✔ Better identification of premix inputs versus finished supplements
✔ Stronger trade data to support informed policy and tariff discussions
✔ A clearer framework for authorities to differentiate inputs from consumer products

➡️ What’s next?
Millers for Nutrition is engaging with ECOWAS and national counterparts on:
• Integration of HS 2028 into the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) and national schedules
• Capacity-building for customs officials and brokers
• Alignment with ongoing food fortification policy efforts
We will continue to share updates as countries begin transposing HS 2028 ahead of 2028.

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’

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.”

Welcome Golden Africa Limited!

Golden Africa Limited, a prominent player in Kenya’s edible oil and fats industry, recently joined Millers for Nutrition. The company is known for their vegetable oils and cooking fats under the Pike and Avena brands.The company is working towards FSSC 22000 certification, a globally recognized food safety management system. Achieving this certification, would demonstrate Golden Africa Limited’s  commitment to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of food safety.

By fortifying their range of edible oils and fats, Golden Africa Limited is set to play a pivotal role in improving public health outcomes by ensuring the Kenyans using their products are eating adequately fortified cooking oil.