Vitamin A-fortified oil campaign launched in Indonesia

26-Jan-2011 - Last updated on 26-Jan-2011 at 14:02 GMT

Related tags Nutrition

It is hoped vitamin A-fortified vegetable oil will reach 80 per cent of the Indonesian population

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has launched a “major multi-sector partnership” to provide vitamin A-fortified vegetable oil to 80 per cent of Indonesia’s 230m inhabitants.

The alliance includes the Indonesian Nutrition Foundation for Food Fortification Development (KFI), vegetable oil producers and the Vice Ministers for Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Education and the Vice Minister of the National Planning Agency.

The problem aims to address stunted growth which affects 40 per cent of Indonesian children. It is estimated 20 per cent of Indonesian schoolchildren are vitamin A deficient.

GAIN said the grant would allow the oil industry to buy the vitamins and minerals from BASF which had become the chosen supplier after winning a tender process for the installment of the programme.

“This project works with the leading Indonesian certified vegetable oil producers. Seventy-five percent of the program is financed by the industry for a total of €11.7m million over next five years.”

"GAIN congratulates the Minister of Health, Dr Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih and Professor Soekirman, the leading expert in nutrition and food fortification in Indonesia, for launching this program that will make an important contribution to the health of the Indonesians," said Marc Van Ameringen, executive director of GAIN.

"Indonesia has a history of prioritizing the health and nutrition of its people. As a result of the Government of Indonesia's commitment, nutrition has been given the voice it deserves."

Under the terms of the programme, GAIN will commit €2.55m to, “support oil refineries with the necessary equipment and training to produce fortified unbranded vegetable oil.”

Africa

This week GAIN also set up a five-year partnership to fight infant malnutrition in Africa.

GAIN, interim manager of communications, Frédérique Tissandier, said no details of the programme could yet be announced, but,”simple, targeted and cost-effective interventions” had been highlighted.

“The critical window of opportunity is the 1,000 days of life, from conception to two-years old,” GAIN said. “Fortified staples, the promotion of breastfeeding, complementary foods after six months of age are some of those interventions available to help break this cycle of malnutrition.”