{"id":18475,"date":"2022-04-13T17:49:41","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T17:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/broadnews\/?p=18475"},"modified":"2022-04-13T17:49:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T17:49:41","slug":"nestle-endorses-food-fortification-supplementation-to-combat-nutrient-deficiencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/broadnews\/2022\/04\/13\/nestle-endorses-food-fortification-supplementation-to-combat-nutrient-deficiencies\/","title":{"rendered":"Nestl\u00e9 endorses food fortification, supplementation to combat nutrient deficiencies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0Nestl\u00e9 Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to food fortification and supplementation as ways to combat micronutrients deficiencies in Nigerians.<\/p>\n

The company restated this commitment in addressing nutrients deficiency at its annual Nestl\u00e9 Media Training<\/a> for Journalist via Zoom Meet on Wednesday, in Lagos.<\/p>\n

Dr Kanalio Olaloku, Manager Central and West Africa, (Anglophone countries), of the Nestl\u00e9 Nutrition Institute, said the company aimed to address the issues of micronutrients deficiencies as much as they could.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the burden of malnutrition in Africa: Micronutrient Fortification and other Solutions, Olaloku said the fortification of most of their products<\/a> with micronutrients would help reduce the deficiencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cStatistics had shown that over two billion people suffered iron deficiency globally. Iron deficiency reduced wages by as much as 25 per cent, while one in three people worldwide<\/a> suffered from some form of malnutrition.<\/p>\n

\u201cMalnutrition consequences were far reaching and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality with under nutrition.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver 95 per cent of our products are fortified to provide at least 15 per cent of our daily need in one serving.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach product is fortified with at least one of the big four nutrient deficiencies: Iron, Vitamin A, iodine and Zinc.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil diets improve and meet the deficiencies that longer-term intervention will correct, food fortification and supplementation remained the primary<\/a> sources for delivering key micronutrients to at risk population,\u201d Olaloku told our correspondent.<\/p>\n

The expert also reiterated the need to boost iron deficiency as it impaired cognitive development in children<\/a> amongst other health issues in adults.<\/p>\n

According to her, \u201cIron deficiency was a common cause of too few healthy red blood cells in the body (anaemia). In a pregnant woman, iron deficiency puts the baby at risk of developmental<\/a> delays.<\/p>\n

\u201cIron deficiency is one of the most micronutrients deficiencies suffered by people across the world; and was responsible for 50 per cent of anaemia cases , cognitive development impairment and reduced physical performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt affects normal growth and development in children, while inhibiting economic progress and increased healthcare<\/a> costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIron helps reduce fatigue and tiredness. Iron plays a key role in boosting immunity, it is paramount for brain development in children<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have both animal and plant sources of iron, Beef, liver, seafood are sources of animal iron. Iron deficiency limits the intelligence potential of a child,\u201d the expert said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n