Nestlé Nigeria presented its new, improved GOLDEN MORN, maize and soya cereal, now fortified with GRAINSMART to public sector dignitaries and media at the Company’s factory in Agbara, Ogun State. GRAINSMART is a unique blend of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5, Vitamin C and Iron.

Speaking at the product relaunch, Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, MD/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC disclosed that the company manufactures and markets a range of iconic products including GOLDEN MORN, which is produced in Nigeria with 100% locally, sourced agricultural raw and packaging materials.

“Nestlé has been nourishing Nigeria for over 58 years, delighting individuals and families with high quality nutritious food products. We keep working to make our portfolio even healthier and tastier. One of the ways we do this is by fortifying our products with micronutrients to help address under-nutrition. For instance, with the addition of GRAINSMART, a serving of the new GOLDEN MORN provides 25% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Iron among other key micronutrients”, he said.

The World Bank data on the prevalence of anemia in Nigeria shows that as at 2016, 68% of children under the age of 5 years are anemic, while 50% of women between the ages of 15-49 years in Nigeria also suffer from anemia. At least 50% of these cases can be traced to iron deficiency.

L to R: Mr. Olubola Aikulola, Representative of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State (Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Dr. Tomi Coker, Honorable Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Mrs. Karima Babangida, Representative of the Honorable Minister of Agriculture (Director, Federal Department of Agriculture), Federal Ministry of Agriculture), HRH Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, The Alagbara of Agbara,  Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, MD/CEO Nestlé Nigeria PLC and Mr. Aboubacar Coulibaly, Category Manager Dairy, Nestle Nigeria PLC

Speaking at the occasion, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Mrs. Karima Babangida commended Nestlé Nigeria PLC for being a key stakeholder and partner of the Ministry in producing and supplying quality and nutritious products towards the reduction of malnutrition in Nigeria.

“The relaunch of GOLDEN MORN fortified with vitamins and minerals could not have come at a better time than now. This is a typical private sector investment that would contribute to greatly reducing malnutrition and boosting the economy of our nation. The Federal Government is encouraging more private sector investments in the production and marketing of bio-fortified foods and other micro-nutrient-rich commodities”, the Minister said.

In his comments, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, also commended Nestlé for its contributions towards improving Nigeria’s health indices. In line with her purpose of ‘enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future’, Nestlé is working towards enabling healthier and happier lives and helping the development of resilient and thriving communities, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goal).