Maggi fortified to address dietary deficiency in Nigeria – Nestle CEO

To further confirm the recent micro-nutrient fortification of Nestle’s Maggi seasoning brand, journalists on tour of the factory recently, were provided the opportunity to take on the roles of cooks to experience product-in-use and feel the brand first-hand by cooking simple but healthy delicacy: Fish in green sauce, seasoned with Maggi cubes.

During the occasion, Nestlé, one of the foremost Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company reiterated its commitment to help reduce malnutrition in Nigeria through micro-nutrient fortification. Addressing journalists at the Agbara factory of seasoning brand, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria, Chief Dharnesh Gordhon said in 2012, Nestlé introduced a new range of fortified bouillon cubes by adding iron to the already iodine- fortified Maggi brand seasonings. He said in 2014, Nestlé reached 18.3 million households in Nigeria with iron-fortified Maggi cubes.

Chief Gordhon said that Nestlé has a huge stake in rural communities in Nigeria, sourcing agricultural raw materials from many farmers in the country. He said in 2014 alone, the company purchased 9,660 tonnes of soybean from local farmers in Nigeria. Soybean is a key element in the ingredient mix in Maggi production to provide a distinctive fermented flavor.

Also speaking during the tour, Nordine Meguini, Category Business Manager, Culinary said in addition to improving the nutritional value of Maggi by adding micro-nutrients, Maggi product portfolio also promotes home cooking and consumption of vegetables through the home garden initiative and Maggi Star Kitchen.




He said that Maggi Star Kitchen travels to towns and cities week by week, providing information about balanced diets, micronutrient deficiencies and the importance of culinary hygiene through interactive cooking demonstrations, women’s forums, group discussions and presentation on micronutrient fortification. Meguini said that in 2014, 


Maggi Star Kitchen reached 2.3 million people in Nigeria, while about 15,000 women are benefiting from the home garden initiative.

In the course of this visit to the factory, members of the media had the opportunity to a firsthand view of the production process. The Factory Manager, Mr. Rakesh Verma, used the opportunity of the visit to share the secret of the decades of success of Maggi brand in Nigeria which can be attributed to the special ingredients in the product which is prepared in a unique way that only Maggi knows – best quality, locally sourced soybean which is a key element in the ingredient mix to provide a distinctive fermented flavour.

Commenting on the quality of Maggi, Rakesh said the company has put in place a strict quality management system to check the quality and safety of products throughout the manufacturing process, from the raw materials to the finished products. Each Maggi cube undergoes up to 300 quality controls during the manufacturing process.

This story was published in Newswatch Times on September 24, 2015.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Develop Specific Security Reforms To Curb Corruption In Defence Sector, National Assembly Urged