MUMBAI, INDIA — Millers for Nutrition recently added India to its industry-led coalition, which has been established to support and recognize the vital role millers play in improving public health through the addition of essential micronutrients to the foods they produce — a process known as food fortification.
Shri Bharatarsabha Dasa, national president of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, joined milling industry leaders and other stakeholders to launch Millers for Nutrition in India in conjunction with Globoil India. Industry leaders in attendance included Sanjeev Asthana, chief executive officer, Patanjali Foods; Angshu Mallick, CEO, Adani Wilmar; and Somnath Chatterjee, executive vice president, ITC Ltd., Foods Division.
The coalition supports millers in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania, and has a goal to reach 1 billion people with better nutrition by 2026.
“We are thrilled to introduce Millers for Nutrition in India,” said Rizwan Yusufali, global program director, TechnoServe. “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.”
Millers who join the coalition can connect with Strategic Fortification Partners who are industry experts, suppliers, social enterprises, and other solution providers to access best-in-class technical assistance and specialized training on industry best practices. The support from partners not only improves the nutritional quality of food products but also increases operational efficiencies and competitiveness of the businesses.
During the event, Champion Millers were recognized (TBC) for progress in fortifying food products and demonstrating a commitment to improving nutritional quality:
- Ambassador of Fortification and Nutrition - Sanjeev Asthana, CEO, Patanjali Foods Ltd.
- Rising Milling Star of Fortification & Nutrition:
- Rice: AJ Industries and Fort Fit Foods Pvt. Ltd.
- Wheat Flour: Shivam Flour Mills and Indogum Products Pvt. Ltd. - Woman Leader in Fortification and Nutrition - Suman Gupta, founder, Creative Nutrition.
- Fortification Leadership Award
- Edible Oil: Kaleesuwari Refinery Pvt. Ltd.
- Wheat Flour: Sanghvi Flour Mills Pvt. Ltd.
- Rice: LT Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Oil Fortification and Quality Leap Award - Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.
- FRK Manufacturing Excellence Award: Bihariji Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd, Sudeep Nutrition Pvt. Ltd. and JVS Foods
- Champion Mill of Fortification and Nutrition Award - Adani Wilmar Ltd.
Millers for Nutrition is powered by TechnoServe and supported by Strategic Fortification Partners BASF, dsm-firmenich, Hexagon Nutrition Ltd., Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, Piramal; Ecosystem Partners - BioAnalyt and Sanku; and a growing group of regional and local partners. Millers, food fortification stakeholders, and others interested in the initiative can learn more at millersfornutrition.com.
