The power of micronutrient powders

September 2016

Nourishing the world’s childrenAs the global population continues to grow, so does the need for food resources and nutritional solutions. To support a long and healthy life, every individual needs to receive the right nutrition throughout their life cycle – starting at the very beginning. However, not all people worldwide have access to nutrient-rich foods. Low income groups are more at risk of micronutrient inadequacies or even deficiencies.

Early life nutrition supports intellectual and physical development, as well as lifelong health, and is crucial in combating undernutrition. The first 1,000 days – beginning with before a woman conceives and including the first two years of a child’s life – have a significant impact on a child’s future. Adequate intake of essential micronutrients is vital in supporting maternal and infant health during this unique window of opportunity.

Breastfeeding is best for newborn babies. Mothers are advised to exclusively breastfeed their infants until they are six months old. Thereafter, infants and young children should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or more. However, the quality of complementary food is often poor and lacks the necessary vitamins and minerals that older infants and young children need. This may have a detrimental impact on their future development.

Contents

2 The power of micronutrient powders

Feeding the world’s children . . . . . . 2

The severe impact of malnutrition . . 3

Filling the gap with micronutrient powders (MNPs) . . . . . 4

Ask the experts: why MNPs? . . . . . . 5

Combating micronutrient deficiencies with DSM . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

NIP & QFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Contacts and references . . . . . . . . . . 8

The power of micronutrient powders 3

Nourishing the world’s children

The severe impact of malnutrition

A diet with insufficient micronutrients can lead to a number of negative consequences for health, including compromised physical growth, mental development and immune function. In addition, research on nutrient-gene interactions suggests that even modest nutritional inadequacies may have long-term effects on health, by setting the stage for age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and cognitive dysfunction. In contrast, optimal nutrition throughout childhood and adolescence helps individuals achieve their full physical and cognitive potential and supports the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life.

There is an evident global need for new ways to fill micronutrient gaps . Micronutrient powders (MNPs) can offer a safe, cost-effective and practical solution to improve the nutritional quality of complementary foods, by providing the necessary vitamins and minerals the body needs . This helps to support early life nutrition and future health .

Two billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition; approximately 800 million go to bed hungry every day. Poor nutrition is an underlying cause of nearly half of deaths in children under five – that’s 3.1 million children each year. Additionally, one in four of the world’s children suffer from stunted growth which means their bodies fail to fully develop physically and mentally. It has been shown that adults who were malnourished as children earn at least 20% less on average than those who weren’t.2

4 The power of micronutrient powders

Developed as a supplement that can be consumed as a part of food, MNPs are single-dose sachets of vitamins and minerals in powder form that can be sprinkled directly onto any ready-to-eat semi-solid food . One of the advantages in using MNPs is that they are consumed by the target population in adequate amounts by being integrated into existing dietary practices, without requiring changes in food choices. This means that micronutrient composition can be adapted to the individual needs of the target population. The powders help increase the micronutrient content of a child’s diet and are an effective way of combating vitamin and mineral deficiencies. MNPs have been shown to be successful in reducing anemia and iron deficiency in young children in a variety of contexts. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends supplementing complementary food of infants and children with MNPs in populations where the prevalence of anemia in children under 5 years of age is 20% or higher.3

Filling the gap with micronutrient powders

The power of micronutrient powders 5

Ask the experts: why MNPs?

Françoise Chomé

Klaus Kraemer

Interview with Françoise Chomé, Global Relationship Lead - Public Sector Partners at DSM Nutritional Products

Question: What are the main benefits of using MNPs?Answer: As well as being scientifically proven to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals that the body needs to prevent and treat deficiencies, MNPs are also a convenient solution that can be taken at home – or any other location where food is prepared and consumed. These powders allow children to get the micronutrients they need without having to change their dietary habits. MNPs can be mixed without affecting the taste, consistency or appearance of food. In addition, they do not get in the way of continued breastfeeding. Their distribution can also allow for messages on health, hygiene, care and stimulation to reach mothers.

Question: How are MNPs used and do consumers need education on this?Answer: MNP sachets are a food-based intervention, rather than medical, which is found to be more acceptable by mothers. The micronutrient mixture needs to be sprinkled onto food and therefore a home fortification program with MNPs should to include a behavioral change campaign. This helps to improve awareness of the product, its correct use and good hygienic practices in the preparation of complementary foods.

Interview with Klaus Kraemer, Managing Director - Sight and Life Foundation and Adjunct Associate Professor - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Question: What are the recommendations for fortifying foods with MNPs?Answer: WHO recommends the use of MNPs containing iron, vitamin A and zinc to reduce anemia among children aged 6-59 months. However, as other vitamins and minerals are often absent or lacking in foods typically consumed by young children, Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group (HFTAG) promotes the use of MNPs containing 15 micronutrients.

Question: How do MNPs get to the people who need them most?Answer: MNPs are frequently packaged in small foil sachets which help protect the stability of the micronutrients from environmental stresses such as light and humidity, giving them a long shelf-life and easing transportation and storage problems. These characteristics reduce the frequency of distribution necessary to maintain a supply of micronutrients. Today, most MNPs are reaching those in need via large government- and international agency-led programs.

6 The power of micronutrient powders

Combating micronutrient deficiencies with DSM

At DSM, we believe that adequate nutrition should be a human right for everybody, and not only those who can afford it. Our quality products, capability and expertise in MNPs mean that we can help support nutrition improvement worldwide.

DSM has supplied MNPs since such interventions began and has a long track record of success. DSM’s first MNP sachets for individual use were launched in 2008 under the brand name MixMe™. Since then, many millions of these sachets have been distributed by international agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations.

DSM now offers a HFTAG-recommended standard 15-component MNP sachet and also customized MNP sachets, formulated and designed for any group in any country across the world. The standard product is delivered in 1 gram sachet / 30 sachets in a box or in a pouch and has a shelf life of two years. There are, however, different MNP forms available; a single serving, multiple servings for school feeding programs, or with soy powder in China called YingYangBao. DSM produces and supplies MNPs globally. The MNP sachet packaging is made with attractive artwork designs and the copy used on the packaging is in the local language. The sachets also come in a variety of formulations to suit the different target populations. MNP products are made fresh to-order and typically have an estimated 8-12 week lead time for production.

Background

Today

The power of micronutrient powders 7

DSM’s Nutrition Improvement Program aspires to be a partner of choice in the global fight against hidden hunger. We offer nutritious, safe and affordable solutions tailored to the needs of local communities in the developing world, with a special focus on women and children. NIP is well equipped to provide scientific and technical support, as well as high-quality micronutrients tailored to the needs of all segments of society at risk of malnutrition. We are passionately committed to joining forces with all stakeholders to work on sustainable, affordable and – most importantly – effective solutions to unlock the potential in every individual, making life brighter for everyone. www .nutritionimprovement .com

For DSM, quality is a way of life. This is the core of Quality for Life™.

Quality for Life™ is the mark of quality, reliability and traceability. It means that DSM customers are getting the best nutrition and health ingredients, knowing the source on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It symbolizes our commitment to our environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and the regulatory framework that governs our operations. With the Quality for Life™ seal, we guarantee peace of mind for you and for your customers. www .qualityforlife .com

For DSM, quality is a way of life. Quality for Life™ symbolizes quality, reliability and traceability. This means that our customers aregetting the best ingredients, knowing the source on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It is our commitmentto our environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and the regulatory framework that governs our operations.

HEALTH • NUTRITION • MATERIALS

Glossary

© DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016Although DSM has used diligent care to ensure that the information provided herein is accurate and up to date, DSM makes no representation or warranty of the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information. This document only contains scientific and technical information for business to business use. Country or region-specific information should also be considered when labeling or advertising to final consumers. This publication does not constitute or provide scientific or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressly or implied. In no event shall DSM be liable for any damages arising from the reader’s reliance upon, or use of, these materials. The reader shall be solely responsible for any interpretation or use of the material contained herein. The content of this document is subject to change without further notice. Please contact your local DSM representative for more details. All trademarks listed in this document are either registered trademarks, trademarks or licensed trademarks of DSM group of companies in the Netherlands and/or other countries, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

DSM Nutritional Products For enquiries please visit – www.nutritionimprovement.com Or contact – nutrition.improvement@dsm.com

REFERENCES (1) http://www.dsm.com/corporate/sustainability/nutrition.html (2) Essential for kids and teens I Health benefit solutions. (3) WHO, Multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of foods consumed by children 6–23 months of age, In. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011. (4) Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group (HF-TAG). Programmatic Guidance Brief on Use of Micronutrient Powders (MNP) for Home Fortification. Geneva: Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group, 2011. (5) De-Regil LM, Jefferds MED, Peña-Rosas JP. Point-of-use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders containing iron in children of preschool and school age (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012, (2):CD009666. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009666. (6) Sight and Life, Home fortification with micronutrient powders (MNP). 2013. (7) WHO Guideline: Use of multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of foods consumed by infants and children 6-23 months of age. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2011. (8) WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. Essential nutrition actions: improving maternal, newborn, infant and young child health and nutrition. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2013.

For DSM, quality is a way of life. Quality for Life™ symbolizes quality, reliability and traceability. This means that our customers aregetting the best ingredients, knowing the source on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It is our commitmentto our environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and the regulatory framework that governs our operations.

HEALTH • NUTRITION • MATERIALS

Glossary

© DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016Although DSM has used diligent care to ensure that the information provided herein is accurate and up to date, DSM makes no representation or warranty of the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information. This document only contains scientific and technical information for business to business use. Country or region-specific information should also be considered when labeling or advertising to final consumers. This publication does not constitute or provide scientific or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressly or implied. In no event shall DSM be liable for any damages arising from the reader’s reliance upon, or use of, these materials. The reader shall be solely responsible for any interpretation or use of the material contained herein. The content of this document is subject to change without further notice. Please contact your local DSM representative for more details. All trademarks listed in this document are either registered trademarks, trademarks or licensed trademarks of DSM group of companies in the Netherlands and/or other countries, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

H0246 @DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016

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