BNSL Relaunches ‘Enrich’ Powder To Boost Nutrition Services

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

BNSL Limited, a leading authority on vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals, has re-launched ‘Enrich’, its instant micro-nutrient powder focused predominantly on young children.

Speaking at a media event Thursday at the company’s headquarters on KM 26 Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Ibafo, Ogun State, Ms. Chioma Odimegwu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, BNSL stated that the aim of the relaunch is to bring the world’s attention to the plight of hundreds of millions of malnourished children all over the world, most especially Africa and Nigeria.

According to Ms. Odimegwu, Nigeria —despite its status as a middle-income country— is home to the highest number of stunted children in the continent and it ranks third globally with more than 10 million stunted children.

She noted that 41 per cent of all children under-5 are chronically malnourished while 23 per cent are underweight and a million children in this group die annually.

“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,” Ms. Odimegwu stated.

She added; “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.”

The BNSL boss disclosed that the re-launched ‘Enrich’ powder —packed in a 1g sachet, to be sprinkled and mixed with ready to eat food— majorly targeted to meet the daily recommended nutrient intake of children above 6 months of age.

“It is a blend of essential vitamins and minerals, with specially encapsulated iron, for easier digestion. Enrich provides a convenient formulation for supplementing any low nutrient food, relatively tasteless and does not change the taste, smell or color of the food,” she stated.

Ms. Odimegwu, who was once an Adviser to the United Nations on Economics and Finance, representing Nigeria and has had stints with Citibank, Google and Jumia Food developing their respective marketing growth engines, disclosed that as part of the company’s effort, BNSL Ltd has successfully delivered over 20 million micronutrient powder sachets to various Government agencies, private companies and development partners from 2014 till date.