Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, has called for enhanced fortification of commonly consumed foods and beverages in Nigeria with essential micronutrients to combat the rising malnutrition crisis.
Dr. Kanalio Olaloku, a nutritionist with the Nestlé Nutrition Institute for Central West Africa, made this call during the recent annual symposium of the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in Lagos.
Olaloku stressed that while fortification is vital, it is equally crucial that these fortified products remain affordable and accessible to the population to ensure they have a tangible impact on public health.
She also stressed the need for food micronutrient levels to be carefully balanced to provide at least 15 percent of daily nutritional requirements while staying within safe limits to prevent overconsumption and its potential negative effects.
In her presentation titled “Adequate Nutrition as Preventative Medicine,” Dr. Olaloku described malnutrition as a term that includes both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition is characterized by a lack of essential nutrients, leading to conditions such as stunting, wasting, and being underweight, while overnutrition results from excessive food intake, contributing to overweight, obesity, and related health problems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also classifies malnutrition as including deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, along with their associated diseases. Dr. Olaloku expressed concern that Nigeria continues to grapple with poor chronic health indicators, stressing that good nutrition and physical activity are fundamental to both physical and mental well-being.