The power of

micronutrient powders

September 2016

Contents
Feeding the world’s children . . . . . . . 2 As the global population continues to grow, so does the need for food resources
The severe impact of malnutrition. . . 3
Filling the gap with
micronutrient powders (MNPs). . . . . . 4
Ask the experts: why MNPs? . . . . . . .
Combating micronutrient
deficiencies with DSM. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
NIP & QFL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contacts and references. . . . . . . . . .
2 The power of micronutrient powders
Nourishing the
world’s children
and nutritional solutions. To support a long and healthy life, every individual
needs to receive the right nutrition throughout their life cycle – starting at the very
beginning. However, not all people worldwide have access to nutrient-rich foods.
Low income groups are more at risk of micronutrient inadequacies or
even deficiencies.
Early life nutrition supports intellectual and physical development, as well as
lifelong health, and is crucial in combating undernutrition. The first 1,000 days
5 – beginning with before a woman conceives and including the first two years of
a child’s life – have a significant impact on a child’s future. Adequate intake of
essential micronutrients is vital in supporting maternal and infant health during this
unique window of opportunity.
Breastfeeding is best for newborn babies. Mothers are advised to exclusively
7 breastfeed their infants until they are six months old. Thereafter, infants and young
children should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods,
while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or more. However, the quality of
8 complementary food is often poor and lacks the necessary vitamins and minerals
that older infants and young children need. This may have a detrimental impact on
their future development.
Two billion people worldwide
suffer from malnutrition;
approximately 800 million
go to bed hungry every day.
Poor nutrition is an underlying
cause of nearly half of deaths
in children under five – that’s
3.1 million children each year.
Additionally, one in four of the
world’s children suffer from
stunted growth which means
their bodies fail to fully develop
physically and mentally. It has
been shown that adults who
were malnourished as children
earn at least 20% less on
average than those who weren’t.2

The severe impact

of malnutrition
A diet with insufficient micronutrients can lead to a number of negative consequences
for health, including compromised physical growth, mental development and immune
function. In addition, research on nutrient-gene interactions suggests that even
modest nutritional inadequacies may have long-term effects on health, by setting the
stage for age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and cognitive
dysfunction. In contrast, optimal nutrition throughout childhood and adolescence
helps individuals achieve their full physical and cognitive potential and supports the
prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life.

There is an evident global need for new ways to fill micronutrient gaps. Micronutrient
powders (MNPs) can offer a safe, cost-effective and practical solution to improve the
nutritional quality of complementary foods, by providing the necessary vitamins and
minerals the body needs. This helps to support early life nutrition and future health.

The power of micronutrient powders 3

Filling the gap with
micronutrient powders
Developed as a supplement that can be consumed as a part of food, MNPs are
single-dose sachets of vitamins and minerals in powder form that can be sprinkled
directly onto any ready-to-eat semi-solid food.

One of the advantages in using MNPs is that they are consumed by the target
population in adequate amounts by being integrated into existing dietary
practices, without requiring changes in food choices. This means that micronutrient
composition can be adapted to the individual needs of the target population.
The powders help increase the micronutrient content of a child’s diet and are an
effective way of combating vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

MNPs have been shown to be successful in reducing anemia and iron deficiency
in young children in a variety of contexts. The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends supplementing complementary food of infants and children with MNPs
in populations where the prevalence of anemia in children under 5 years of age is
20% or higher.3

4 The power of micronutrient powders

Ask the experts:
why MNPs?
Interview with
Françoise Chomé, Global Relationship Lead -
Public Sector Partners at DSM Nutritional Products

Question: What are the main benefits of using MNPs?

Answer: As well as being scientifically proven to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals
that the body needs to prevent and treat deficiencies, MNPs are also a convenient solution that
can be taken at home – or any other location where food is prepared and consumed. These
powders allow children to get the micronutrients they need without having to change their
dietary habits. MNPs can be mixed without affecting the taste, consistency or appearance of
food. In addition, they do not get in the way of continued breastfeeding. Their distribution can
Françoise Chomé also allow for messages on health, hygiene, care and stimulation to reach mothers.

Question: How are MNPs used and do consumers need education on this?
Answer: MNP sachets are a food-based intervention, rather than medical, which is found
to be more acceptable by mothers. The micronutrient mixture needs to be sprinkled onto food
and therefore a home fortification program with MNPs should to include a behavioral change
campaign. This helps to improve awareness of the product, its correct use and good hygienic
practices in the preparation of complementary foods.

Interview with
Klaus Kraemer, Managing Director - Sight and Life Foundation and
Adjunct Associate Professor - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health

Question: What are the recommendations for fortifying foods with MNPs?
Answer: WHO recommends the use of MNPs containing iron, vitamin A and zinc to reduce
anemia among children aged 6-59 months. However, as other vitamins and minerals are often
absent or lacking in foods typically consumed by young children, Home Fortification Technical
Advisory Group (HFTAG) promotes the use of MNPs containing 15 micronutrients.

Klaus Kraemer Question: How do MNPs get to the people who need them most?
Answer: MNPs are frequently packaged in small foil sachets which help protect the stability
of the micronutrients from environmental stresses such as light and humidity, giving them a
long shelf-life and easing transportation and storage problems. These characteristics reduce the
frequency of distribution necessary to maintain a supply of micronutrients. Today, most MNPs
are reaching those in need via large government- and international agency-led programs.

The power of micronutrient powders 5

Combating micronutrient
deficiencies with DSM
At DSM, we believe that adequate nutrition should be a human right
for everybody, and not only those who can afford it. Our quality
products, capability and expertise in MNPs mean that we can help
support nutrition improvement worldwide.

Background DSM has supplied MNPs since such interventions began and has a long track
record of success. DSM’s first MNP sachets for individual use were launched in
2008 under the brand name MixMe™. Since then, many millions of these sachets
have been distributed by international agencies, governments and
non-governmental organizations.

Today DSM now offers a HFTAG-recommended standard 15-component MNP sachet and
also customized MNP sachets, formulated and designed for any group in any
country across the world. The standard product is delivered in 1 gram sachet / 30
sachets in a box or in a pouch and has a shelf life of two years. There are, however,
different MNP forms available; a single serving, multiple servings for school
feeding programs, or with soy powder in China called YingYangBao.

DSM produces and supplies MNPs globally. The MNP sachet packaging is made
with attractive artwork designs and the copy used on the packaging is in the local
language. The sachets also come in a variety of formulations to suit the different
target populations. MNP products are made fresh to-order and typically have an
estimated 8-12 week lead time for production.

6 The power of micronutrient powders

DSM’s Nutrition Improvement Program aspires to be a partner of
choice in the global fight against hidden hunger.

We offer nutritious, safe and affordable solutions tailored to the needs of local
communities in the developing world, with a special focus on women and children.
NIP is well equipped to provide scientific and technical support, as well as high-
quality micronutrients tailored to the needs of all segments of society at risk of
malnutrition. We are passionately committed to joining forces with all stakeholders
to work on sustainable, affordable and – most importantly – effective solutions to
unlock the potential in every individual, making life brighter for everyone.

www.nutritionimprovement.com

For DSM, quality is a way of life. This is the core of Quality for Life™.

Quality for Life™ is the mark of quality, reliability and traceability. It means that DSM
customers are getting the best nutrition and health ingredients, knowing the source
on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It symbolizes our
commitment to our environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and
the regulatory framework that governs our operations. With the Quality for Life™ seal,
we guarantee peace of mind for you and for your customers.

www.qualityforlife.com

The power of micronutrient powders 7

DSM Nutritional Products
For DSM, quality is a way of life. Quality for Life™ symbolizes quality, reliability and traceability. This means that our customers are
gettingplease
For enquiries the bestvisit
ingredients, knowing the source on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It is our commitment
– www.nutritionimprovement.com
to our
Or contact environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and the regulatory framework that governs our operations.
– nutrition.improvement@dsm.com

Glossary
For DSM, quality is a way of life. Quality for Life™ symbolizes quality, reliability and traceability. This means that our customers are
getting the best ingredients, knowing the source on which they depend. Quality for Life™ means sustainability. It is our commitment
to our environment, consumers, our business partners, our people and the regulatory framework that governs our operations.
HEALTH • NUTRITION MATERIALS•

REFERENCES
Glossary
(1)
http://www.dsm.com/corporate/sustainability/nutrition.html (2) Essential for kids and teens I Health benefit solutions. (3) WHO, Multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of
© DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016
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that the information Geneva:
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herein Health
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up to date, DSM makes
(4)
Home Fortification
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the accuracy,Advisory
reliability,Group (HF-TAG).
or completeness Programmatic
of the information. ThisGuidance Brief
document only on Use
contains
of Micronutrient
scientific and technicalPowders
information(MNP) for Home
for business Fortification.
to business use. Country Geneva: Homeinformation
or region-specific Fortification
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also be considered Group,
when labeling2011. (5)
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or advertising to final LM, Jefferds
consumers. ThisMED, Peña-Rosas
publication JP. Point-of-use
does not constitute fortification
or provide scientific of
or medical
advice,
foodsdiagnosis, or treatment and
with•micronutrient is distributed
powders without warranty
containing iron of any
in kind, either
children of expressly or and
preschool implied. In no event
school age shall DSM be liable
(Protocol). for any damages
Cochrane Database arising
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NUTRITION
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(6) interpretation or use of the material contained herein. The content of this document is subject to change
Sight and Life, Home fortification (7) without further notice. Please contact your local DSM representative for more details. All trademarks listed in this document are
either registered trademarks, trademarks or licensed trademarkswith
of DSM micronutrient powders
group of companies (MNP). 2013.
in the Netherlands WHO
and/or other Guideline:
countries, Use of stated
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otherwise.
infants and children 6-23 months of age. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2011. (8) WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. Essential nutrition actions: improving maternal, newborn,
infant and young child health and nutrition. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2013.

DISCLAIMER
© DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016
Although DSM has used diligent care to ensure that the information provided herein is accurate and up to date, DSM makes no representation or warranty of the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information. This document only contains
scientific and technical information for business to business use. Country or region-specific information should also be considered when labeling or advertising to final consumers. This publication does not constitute or provide scientific or medical
advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressly or implied. In no event shall DSM be liable for any damages arising from the reader’s reliance upon, or use of, these materials. The reader shall be solely
responsible for any interpretation or use of the material contained herein. The content of this document is subject to change without further notice. Please contact your local DSM representative for more details. All trademarks listed in this document are
either registered trademarks, trademarks or licensed trademarks of DSM group of companies in the Netherlands and/or other countries, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

H0246 @DSM Nutritional Products Ltd 2016