Millers for Nutrition strengthens Asian leadership with fortified staple food brand launches
This breakthrough has helped reposition millers as vital players in the nutrition landscape, transforming fortified foods from niche social safety nets into mainstream consumer products that are widely accessible.
ASIA – Millers for Nutrition, a global industry-led initiative committed to advancing large-scale food fortification, has announced major milestones across Asia, reinforcing the region’s leadership in combating hidden hunger.
The global coalition, which supports millers in producing nutrient-rich staples, revealed that over 20 new fortified food brands have launched across India and Bangladesh, with additional momentum building in Indonesia.
The program, active in eight countries, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania, is spearheading the development of new fortified staple food brands and capacity-building activities, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
These brands have generated substantial nationwide visibility and reached more than one million consumers per country.
This breakthrough has helped reposition millers as vital players in the nutrition landscape, transforming fortified foods from niche social safety nets into mainstream consumer products that are widely accessible.
Notable achievements include Bangladesh’s ACI Pure Fortified Rice, the first national fortified rice brand to be available in commercial retail, signalling a shift from exclusive government distribution to open-market availability.
Inspired and technically supported by Millers for Nutrition, this brand is expected to accelerate the country’s efforts against micronutrient deficiencies.
Following the launch of rice, ACI has also introduced fortified atta (wheat flour) under the ACI Pure brand to broaden its nutritional impact further.
Monojit Indra, Senior Practice Leader at TechnoServe India and Program Lead for Millers for Nutrition Asia, highlighted the critical role of millers in delivering nutrition directly to households.
He emphasized that through providing millers with tools, training, and market opportunities, the initiative helps scale fortification efforts effectively while building sustainable commercial models.
Rizwan Yusufali, Global Program Director of Millers for Nutrition, reiterated that millers are central to the success of nutrition delivery.
The ongoing cooperation among millers, governments, civil society organizations, and development partners is catalyzing a transformation of food systems in Asia, ensuring that fortified foods reach millions of people every day.
In Indonesia, fortified rice is rapidly gaining momentum with new industry initiatives focusing on strengthening nutritional security through model fortified rice kernel (FRK) units and quality assurance protocols.
These efforts aim to enhance consumer trust and adoption, aligning with national health objectives.
Overall, Millers for Nutrition’s achievements in Asia exemplify how public-private partnerships and innovative industry leadership can drive large-scale impact in food fortification, combating hidden hunger and improving public health through accessible, fortified staple foods.
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