BNSL deploys fortification to halt malnourishment
BNSL Limited, which specializes in the production of vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals, has re-launched the micronutrient powder known as “ENRICH”, focusing predominantly on young children. The aim of the launch is to bring the world’s attention to the plight of hundreds of millions of malnourished children all over the world, most especially, within Africa, the […]
Dr Shakin Agbayewa -Vice President AFAN( All Farmers Association of Nigeria) Rep; President of AFAN- Otunba Femi Oke
Mr James Oyesola-Director Tree Crops and Rural Development Services Ministry of Agriculture Ogun State. Rep; Hon Commissioner of Agriculture Ogun State Dr Adeola Odedina
BNSL Limited, which specializes in the production of vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals, has re-launched the micronutrient powder known as “ENRICH”, focusing predominantly on young children.
The aim of the launch is to bring the world’s attention to the plight of hundreds of millions of malnourished children all over the world, most especially, within Africa, the company explained.
The Managing Director of BNSL, Chioma Odimegwu, at the launch said: “Enrich is a micronutrient powder to be sprinkled and mixed with ready-to-eat food. It is a blend of essential vitamins and minerals, with specially encapsulated iron, for easier digestion”.
“ENRICH provides a convenient formulation for supplementing any low nutrient food. Majorly, it is targeted to meet the daily recommended nutrient intake of children above 6 months of age.”
Odimegwu pointed out that stunted growth among children was usually caused by poverty, poor child-feeding practices, lack of proper sanitation, lack of clean water, inadequate maternal nutrition, and uninformed practices amongst others.
Statistics show that 41 per cent of all children under five are chronically malnourished in Nigeria, and 23 per cent are underweight. As a result of malnourishment, one million children in this group die annually.
According to the BNSL boss, the magnitude of the problem must be met with a response that reflects the scale and gravity of the situation.
In this regard, she said that BNSL Limited looked forward to delivering fortification as an efficient solution to a national challenge, and to drive a meaningful impact.
The features of the product, the managing director said, included free-flowing powder and relatively tasteless, adding that the product did not change the taste, smell or colour of the food.
According to her, the company has successfully delivered over 20million micronutrient powder sachets to various government agencies, private companies and development partners from 2014 to date.