With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Nigerian government, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, BASF, Bioanalyt, Camelot Consulting Group, DSM, GH Labs, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and TechnoServe have launched a pilot programme to develop a digitized system to ensure staple foods are fortified with the right levels of essential vitamins and minerals to support good health and nutrition.
In a press release issued by Oluwatoyin Oyekenu on behalf of all partners, it was disclosed that the system will also track the fortified foods to ensure they are reaching Nigerian consumers efficiently.
The fortification of wheat flour, maize flour, vegetable oil, margarine, salt and sugar has been mandatory in Nigeria for over ten years but assuring that the micronutrient content of the foods meets Nigeria’s national standards has been challenging.
According to Dr Michael Ojo, country director for GAIN Nigeria, “we anticipate this system will allow companies to assure every customer that the nutrient content of their product is guaranteed, reducing health risks and offering a direct path to longer and healthier lives.”
Mr Ogunbela Oludare, Technical Manager of PZ Wilmar, said, “the digitisation initiative is a win-win for the private sector and public health in Nigeria.”
“Digitization will help Nigerian producers to ensure that we are meeting national standards for fortification while simultaneously increasing the efficiency and profitability of our businesses.”
Mr Oludare further added that “the foundation is investing in food fortification markets to provide quality nutritious foods that are affordable for all consumers.”
Andreas Bluethner, Director of Nutrition at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said, “digital innovation will allow nutritional improvements to be assessed and maintained over time.”
The oil producers selected to participate in the pilot will receive support from a team of digital experts to co-design and install the new digital quality assurance/quality control system.
The system will utilise state of the art diagnostic tools, from in-line sensors to monitor production flows to calibration aids and reporting software, that can deliver guaranteed quality and insights important to producers’ bottom line.
The four-year pilot project is being implemented in Nigeria by GAIN as part of its worldwide commitment to supporting staple food fortification and ensuring better nutrition for all.