Nestle foods are fortified says Olaloku – ITREALMS

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Every Nestle Foods product is fortified says Dr Kanalio Yvonne Olaloku, Manager at the Nestle Nutrition Foundation for West Africa, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at a day capacity building for members of the Society for Media Advocacy on Health (SOMAH) at the Nestle Nigeria plc, Agbara factory on the theme: “Fortification as a strategy for improving nutrition indices,” Dr. Olaloku said that they have fortification strategy at Nestle.

This, she said, has ensured that all Nestle Foods product is fortified.

“At least, about 15 per cent of fortification are added in Nestle Foods,” she declared, stressing that the company in making certain its products are fortified considering often the big four gains, namely the Iron, Vitamin A, Iodine and zinc.

She also underscored that fact that in fortification of food products, Nestle stands on a tripod of mandate, monitoring and mobilisation.

Olaloku lamented that lack of fortification in food products or intakes could lead to malnutrition due to inadequate relevant minerals and vitamins.

Dr. Olaloku equally pointed out that families must ensure that food products always contain some elements of fortification, in take of food supplements, deworming, dietary diversification, enhancing of caregiver capability, multisectoral approach, continues research and data development and media engagement.

Explaining further, Dr. Olaloku said that caregivers need to be empowered by way of building their capacity to enhance their roles as they are closer to most likely patients.

On the multisectoral approach, she suggested the opening of the vista for larger stakeholder engagement such as relevant civil society organisation.

Media, she said, has a major role, for instance to play in educating the populace and continuous engagement to ensure the people assimilate the right information.

In her welcome note, the Head, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Nutrition Health Wellness, Consumer Engagement Services, Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Patricia Ekaba commended the Nigerian team led by the Corporate Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead at Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Ndee Uwadoka for this partnership with the Society for Media Advocacy on Health (SOMAH) led by Mrs Chioma Umeha.

Ekaba also called for more collaboration pledging that her office is all ears and ready to work for improved relationship with SOMAH.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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