159
Good Practice
Development
Global Compact International Yearbook 2013
women of child-bearing age in countries
where micronutrient deficiencies are
most prevalent, and fortify the products
preferred by these vulnerable groups to
address specific local needs.
Dehydrated milk powders make
very good carriers of micronutrients and
provide a way to get them to people on
a lower income without changing their
existing eating habits. By the end of 2012,
our affordablemilk ranges were available
in more than 80 countries, where they
are largely consumed by preschool chil-
dren. Our recent milk product launches
include Nido Dayem, an affordable, iron-
enriched milk launched in the Maghreb
region of northern Africa. We have a
range of powdered and ready-to-drink
milks in the Philippines that are forti-
fied with essential micronutrients and
have also developed a range of affordable
fortified infant cereals to help bridge
the nutrition gap during the weaning
period and beyond.
Crops that help bridge the nutrient
gap
We have launched a new research pro-
gram that seeks to use conventionally
bred crops that are naturally rich in
micronutrients. This is done by cross-
breeding varieties that are rich in mi-
cronutrients with high-yield varieties to
produce high-yielding, nutritious crops.
For instance, cassava, which is rich in vi-
tamin A, is being bred inNigeria and Côte
d’Ivoire, whereas rice rich in iron and
zinc is being developed for Madagascar.
These will be integrated into future prod-
uct lines as an alternative to fortification.
By sourcing conventionally bred staple
food crops that are bio-fortified, we hope
to increase the quality of raw materials
used in production while promoting the
planting and consumption of plant foods
rich in vitamins and minerals by rural
populations in developing countries.
Addressing micronutrient
deficiencies in Nigeria
To address iron and vitamin A deficien-
cies in Nigeria, we have fortified our
affordably priced Golden Morn family
cereals with both these ingredients. More
than 210 million servings of Golden
Morn are consumed in Nigeria every
year, so fortification gives families across
the country the opportunity to increase
their nutritional intake every day at
breakfast. We are also training farmers
in Ghana and Nigeria who grow the corn
used to make Golden Morn to follow
simple practices that reduce the risk
of damage from naturally occurring
mycotoxins and increase yields, quality,
and consequently price. About 30,000
farmers have benefited from the project
since its launch in 2009.
Nutrition education through
“
cooking caravans”
We have supported the launch of all our
fortified Maggi products with advertis-
ing and information campaigns that
promote their health benefits, their
affordability, and the benefits of com-
bining themwith fresh, locally sourced
products.
We have gone on the road in Cen-
tral andWest Africa to provide nutrition
expertise and healthy eating tips to con-
sumers. Maggi brand “cooking caravans”
are traveling through Cameroon, Côte
d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, educating people
about balanced diets, micronutrient
deficiency, and the importance of cu-
linary hygiene. The program also aims
to encourage cooking at home.
Our long-term vision
This year, we made a commitment to
improve the nutritional profiles of our
products to help reduce the risks of
undernutrition through micronutrient
fortification. We aim to lead industry
efforts to help ensure that consumers
everywhere have the right choices and
availability of products to be optimally
nourished and, consequently, enjoy good
health and personal wellness. We have
the capacity and, evenmore importantly,
the determination to do so.
Above
:
Selling iron-fortified Maggi cubes
in Nigeria.
Left
:
Teaching good culinary habits at
scale in Côte d'Ivoire.