INDIA – Millers for Nutrition, a coalition dedicated to improving public health through food fortification, has been launched in India to help millers produce high-quality, nutritious foods and reduce the country’s malnutrition burden.
The coalition, introduced during the prestigious Globoil India event, aims to reach a staggering 1 billion people by 2026 with fortified food products, marking a monumental step in the nation’s battle against malnutrition.
Powered by TechnoServe, Millers for Nutrition is supported by Strategic Fortification Partners – BASF, dsm-firmenich, Hexagon Nutrition Ltd, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, and Piramal.
In addition, Ecosystem partners BioAnalyt and Sanku and a growing group of regional and local partners form part of the coalition, sharing a common vision of improving food processing practices and fortification excellence that ultimately benefit society while enhancing business sustainability.
“We are thrilled to introduce Millers for Nutrition in India,” said Rizwan Yusufali, TechnoServe’s Global Program Director.
“We want to unite passionate stakeholders to support India’s Millers and food processors in achieving fortification excellence and driving meaningful change in the battle against malnutrition. Together, we can transform the future of nutrition in India,” he added.
Millers for Nutrition supports millers by connecting them with Strategic Fortification Partners, industry experts, suppliers, and social enterprises. These partners provide best-in-class technical assistance and specialized training.
This collaborative approach also ensures that millers have the necessary tools to implement fortification processes that meet international quality standards.
During the launch, key players in India’s food industry, including leaders from Patanjali Foods, Adani Wilmar, and ITC Ltd, were present.
These industry giants and global partners will drive initiatives that target the fortification of staple foods such as rice, wheat flour, and edible oils.
Sanjeev Asthana, CEO of Patanjali Foods, highlighted the potential of fortification in addressing malnutrition in India, particularly in rural and underserved areas where people rely heavily on staple foods for their daily nutritional needs.
According to him, India’s malnutrition rates remain high, particularly in rural areas where access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods is limited.
Fortification, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most effective strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies, offers a scalable solution that can be integrated into the food processing industry at multiple levels.
His participation, alongside Angshu Mallick, Managing Director and CEO of Adani Wilmar, and Somnath Chatterjee, Executive Vice President of ITC Ltd’s Foods Division, demonstrates the milling industry’s commitment to advancing public health.
“India has a unique opportunity to lead the way in food fortification,” said Yusufali.
“With the support of the government, private sector, and key stakeholders, we can drive significant progress in fortification, especially in regions where malnutrition is still a pressing challenge,” he added.
The launch event also celebrated the achievements of several companies and individuals who have demonstrated leadership in fortifying food products.
Sanjeev Asthana was honored as the Ambassador of Fortification and Nutrition for his commitment to promoting fortified foods through Patanjali’s extensive product range.
Other notable recognitions included Rising Milling Star of Fortification awards, which were presented to AJ Industries and Fort Fit Foods Pvt. Ltd. in the rice category, and Shivam Flour Mills and Indogum Products Pvt. Ltd. for their work in wheat flour fortification.
Suman Gupta, founder of Creative Nutrition, was awarded Woman Leader in Fortification and Nutrition, acknowledging her leadership in the nutrition sector.
Additionally, Fortification Leadership Awards were given to Kaleesuwari Refinery Pvt. Ltd. for edible oil, Sanghvi Flour Mills Pvt. Ltd. for wheat flour, and LT Foods Pvt. Ltd. for rice fortification. These awards celebrate companies that have made significant strides in fortifying everyday food products consumed by millions of Indian households.
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