BNSL Set to End Malnutrition in Africa, Relaunches Enrich
As part of it’s effort to end malnutrition in Nigeria and Africa, BNSL Limited, formerly known as Bio Organics Nutrients Systems Limited, has re-launched its micronutrient powder –Enrich, a brand focused predominantly on young children.
The company unveiled Enrich during a press conference held at its Headquarter in Mowe, Ogun State recently.
Chioma Odimegwu, Managing Director,
BNSL said, “The aim of this re-launch is to bring the world’s attention to the plight of hundreds of millions of malnourished children all over the world, most especially, within Africa,” she said.
She added that, Nigeria, a middle-income country is home to the highest number of stunted children on the continent, and ranks 3rd globally with more than 10 million stunted children.
“41% of all children under 5 years are chronically malnourished and 23% are underweight. 1 million children in this group die annually,” she stated.
Explaining the cause of the menace, she said.
“This menace is usually caused by poverty, poor child feeding practices, lack of proper sanitation, lack of clean water, inadequate maternal nutrition and uninformed practices amongst others. The magnitude of the problem must be met with a response that reflects the scale and gravity of the situation. In this regard, BNSL Limited looks forward to delivering fortification as an efficient solution to a national challenge, and to drive a meaningful impact.”
Commenting on some of the features of the relaunched brand, Chioma pointed that Enrich is a micronutrient powder to be sprinkled and mixed with ready to eat food.
“It is a blend of essential vitamins and minerals, with specially encapsulated iron, for easier digestion. It provides a convenient formulation for supplementing any low nutrient food.
Enrich is packed in 1g sachet, with 60 sachets placed in a single box. Majorly, it is targeted to meet the daily recommended nutrient intake of children above 6 months of age.
“Enrich gives infants and children (who are the groups that are most vulnerable to micronutrient deficiency, given the high vitamin and mineral intake they need to support their rapid growth and adequate development) the necessary vitamins and minerals, particularly of vitamin A, iron and zinc required for optimum growth and serves as an immune booster to growing infants and women of child bearing age,” she said.
Director, Tree Crops and Rural Development Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun State, Mr James Oyesola, who represented his commissioner, assured the company of the government’s cooperation and partnership in this direction.
BNSL in a statement disclosed that it has successfully delivered over 20million micronutrient powder sachets to various government agencies, private companies and development partners from 2014 till date.