100% of Nigerian wheat flour millers commit to Millers for Nutrition Initiative

NIGERIA –   17 wheat flour milling sites across Nigeria have joined Millers for Nutrition, a coalition committed to fortifying staple foods and improving health outcomes across the nation.

This milestone, announced on December 19, marks a significant step forward in addressing the severe nutritional challenges faced by Nigeria’s nearly 230 million citizens.

The 100% sector participation signifies an industry-wide commitment to enhance the nutritional value of wheat flour by adhering to proper fortification practices that add essential vitamins and minerals.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 2 million Nigerian children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with only 20% receiving treatment.

Women of childbearing age are also affected, with 7% experiencing acute malnutrition. These statistics underscore the urgency of fortification initiatives to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.

I express my sincere gratitude to the Nigeria wheat flour millers for their commitment to improving the nutritional value of their products,” said Ayodele Tella, Senior Program Manager of Millers for Nutrition.

By joining this coalition, these millers have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the health and well-being of Nigerian consumers. This initiative will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he added.

Millers for Nutrition is dedicated to making the production of correctly fortified, nutritious food more accessible and rewarding for millers.

The coalition connects millers with industry experts, suppliers, social enterprises, and other solution providers to offer technical assistance and specialized training on industry best practices. This support not only improves the nutritional value of staple foods but also enhances operational efficiency and competitiveness within the sector.

Gbelee Oluwasanmi Stanley, Quality Control Manager at Nigeria Eagles Flour Mills, emphasized the initiative’s importance:

In quality control, there is no room for compromise; you simply have to get it right. The benefits of this initiative extend far beyond compliance. The technical support provided enables us to consistently deliver products that meet the highest nutritional standards.

I strongly encourage millers from other sectors to join this movement. When we prioritize nutrition through proper fortification, we are not just meeting standards; we are delivering the quality products our consumers deserve.”

Millers for Nutrition’s efforts are bolstered by support from global strategic partners such as BASF, BioAnalyt, Bühler, DSM-Firmenich, Mühlenchemie, and SternVitamin, as well as regional partners like Hexagon Nutrition and Piramal.

In addition, recently, Bühler, a global leader in grain processing and technology solutions joined the Millers for Nutrition coalition as processing solutions provider.

These collaborations provide the technical expertise and resources necessary to ensure fortification compliance, enhance product quality, and build a sustainable foundation for improved nutrition.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Food Fortification Alliance (NFFA), which works to enforce compliance with fortification standards for staple foods such as flour, sugar, and edible oil.

According to the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), fortified foods can address deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, and zinc, which are critical for cognitive development, immune function, and overall health.

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