Child malnutrition resulting from iron deficiency can lead to serious health problems, as well as irreversible negative effects on the cognitive development of young children.
To help prevent malnutrition among children of school age, Nestle Ghana has launched a ready-to-eat meal called ‘Milo Nutrifill’, a cereal that is primarily made of whole grains that provide the required vitamins for growth.
The product, made of maize, malt and cocoa, is also fortified with iron and vitamin C to help reduce the risk of under-nutrition, particularly among children.
Whole grains are excellent sources of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and surveys show that diets around the world do not contain enough of such nutrients.
The Nestle Ghana Country Manager, Mrs Freda Y. Duplan, in launching the product in Accra last Tuesday, said, “We want to encourage better nutrition at breakfast time.
Research
She said research had demonstrated that “breakfast supplies the body with essential nutrients necessary for brain function and can result in generally improved nutrition, providing important nutrients and helping children perform better in school”.
The launch of Milo Nutrifill, she said, was part of Nestlé’s commitment to provide families with nutritious and affordable foods and beverages.
“On continuous basis, we play active roles in helping to address over-nutrition, under-nutrition and related micronutrient deficiencies, obesity and non-communicable or non-contagious diseases, which are pressing issues that affect billions of people around the world,” she added.
According to her, Nestle Ghana, whose products are made from locally sourced raw materials, aims at “creating shared value” for its farmers who are also the shareholders while at the same time creating value for the communities it serves and operates in.
The Nestlé Grains Quality Improvement Project ensures that the company has a long-term supply of safe and high-quality maize by training farmers in good agricultural practices.
