DSM and Cargill join General Mills in tackling 'hidden hunger'

22-Mar-2011 - Last updated on 22-Mar-2011 at 12:04 GMT

Related tags Nutrition

Two of the biggest food and feed ingredient companies in the world – DSM and Cargill – have joined General Mills’ Partners in Food Solutions programme that aims to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in Africa.

General Mills has established Partners in Food Solutions as a non-profit organisation that seeks to bring, “food production and food processing expertise to small and medium-size food processors in Africa.”

The programme says ‘hidden hunger’ is one of its main targets – where nutrient rather than calorie deficiency is the central problem.

‘Hidden hunger’ was not, DSM said, “the type of malnutrition you see in a hungry or starving individual. Most of the two billion people who suffer from hidden hunger eat enough calories. But their basic diet fails to provide enough crucial vitamins and minerals vital to their mental and physical health.

The problem of hidden hunger impacts both the developing and the developed world. The most obvious victims are in developing countries, where people can’t afford or don’t have access to nutritious foods. They simply can’t buy the meat, fish, eggs, fruits or vegetables that would provide the minerals and vitamins they need.”

The need is critical

Ken Powell, chairman and chief executive officer of General Mills added: "General Mills has been piloting this effort for more than two years, and we know we can help. Through Partners in Food Solutions, General Mills will be able to reach out to additional partners from across the food industry. The need is critical, and we know our industry can make a transformative difference."

Partners in Food Solutions works with 15 food processors on about 40 projects in Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi, impacting 60,000 farmers.

It has a five year plan to include work with up to 10 corporate partners working with 200 food processors and one million farmers in 14 African nations. Partners in Food Solutions has also hired and trained four African food scientists who are helping to find companies in need of expertise.

In this direction, the Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) is hosting a three-day event in the Philippines beginning Sunday, March 27, targeting the, “impact of low dietary intakes of essential vitamins and minerals on populations' health and development.”