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DSM partners on India nutrition

DSM has announced a partnership with Sona Biscuits (SOBISCO) of India to help provide effective nutrition to consumers in the Eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa. This initiative, said the company, is part of DSM’s commitment to combating micronutrient deficiencies in India, supporting efforts by the government, industry players such as SOBISCO […]

DSM has announced a partnership with Sona Biscuits (SOBISCO) of India to help provide effective nutrition to consumers in the Eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa. This initiative, said the company, is part of DSM’s commitment to combating micronutrient deficiencies in India, supporting efforts by the government, industry players such as SOBISCO and the social sector in fortifying common staples and popular local foods.

Due to the sheer size of its growing population and associated development challenges, India faces a unique problem in tackling malnutrition, DSM notes, pointing out that, while the Food Security Act is helping to make food more widely available and has improved the hunger index in the country, there is only limited focus on nutritional aspects which can impact the well-being of children, adolescents and young mothers in particular, as well as households in general.

“I am confident that Dutch companies like DSM and their science-based solutions can help tackle malnutrition in India using their knowledge and expertise in collaboration with local partners,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

“As the world’s leading producer of nutritional ingredients including vitamins, DSM is taking responsibility to help address hidden hunger, one of the world’s greatest solvable problems,” said Geraldine Matchett, CFO and Member of the Managing Board of DSM. “Access to the right nutrition is particularly important here in India, especially for children and young people. Fortification of staple and popular foods is considered to be one of the best approaches for combating micronutrient deficiencies. Through this initiative, DSM and SOBISCO are reaching out together to improve nutrition in communities across Eastern India.”

DSM in India already supports efforts by the government, industry and the social sector in fortifying common staple foods. It says it intends to reinforce this engagement via further initiatives in fortifying other widely available foods. In this regard, DSM India has joined forces with SOBISCO to fortify biscuits, popular local snacks and beverages like Sattu and Jhalmuri in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa.

The company says that the product categories have been selected keeping in mind the consumption patterns and preferences of the regional consumer. DSM believes that, to be effective, fortified foods and beverages must appeal to the needs and tastes of consumers and provide nutritional value at a price that everyone (including lower income groups) can afford. Fortification of these products is based on regional nutritional gaps and deficiencies in rural children, young mothers and households in general.

The food and beverage products will be co-branded together by DSM and SOBISCO. For the venture, DSM will use its brand “NU-Shakti Nutrition for you” which has been locally developed and is said to be easily recognisable for the Indian market. The products will be centrally processed at SOBISCO’s facilities and will be formulated to provide essential micronutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, folic acid, iron, zinc, iodine etc. The joint venture will operate under the name of DSM SOBISCO Foods.