The Micronutrient Laboratories Limited on Thursday introduced its Cognito Micronutrient Powder, a micronutrients food fortification formula, as a response to the challenge of high infant mortality from poor feeding in Nigeria.
The unveiling was at the 44th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology in Lagos.
According to the association, Nigeria’s battle against deficiencies in childhood nutrition will get a boost with the introduction of the micronutrient fortification product for quick and easy utilisation by families.
The Chief Executive of Flour Mills of Nigeria plc, Dr Paul Gbededo , unveiled the micronutrient powder.
Gbededo, who was also the Keynote Speaker at the conference, commended Micronutrient Laboratories Limited and its Chief Innovation Officer for remaining focused on leading indigenous contribution to science and technology.
Dr Kenny Acholonu, the Chief Innovation Officer of Micronutrient Laboratories said: “Cognito Micronutrients Powders (MNP) is a readily available micronutrient powder.
“It is for optimising the nutritive value of local foods for all malnourished children including those in challenging settings such as conflict areas, IDPs, and poverty-chains.
“The micronutrient formulation is a direct response to the challenge thrown by international agencies bothered with the high incidence of infant mortality traceable to food deficiencies and the lack of local capacity.
“Rotary International and UNICEF threw the challenge of local production of micronutrient powder in Nigeria in 2009.
“Before and since then, Nigeria imports MNP. They approached me based on a recommendation by BASF, the world leader in chemicals. My team and I took up the challenge.
“We produced Micronutrient powder to global standards.”
According to Acholonu, a lifetime achievement awardee of NIFST and Founder/CEO of Biorganics Nutrient Systems Limited, Cognito will assist Nigeria to tackle the problem of micronutrient deficiency.
He said that it would be useful in tackling the challenge of food lacking in vital nutrients that many of our deprived citizens eat and serve their children.
He said: “Micronutrient Laboratories Limited (https://micronutrientlabs.com.ng/) envisions contributions to national development through science and innovation.
“ Cognito MNP has essential micronutrients containing ten essential vitamins and five minerals for high cognitive development and performance, physical growth, and optimum health of children,’’ Acholonu said.
Also, Rachael Amadasun, Technical Manager, Cognito, said that Micronutrient Laboratories formulated their product in line with the Federal Government’s prescription.
She said : “Cognito® MNP is a single-serve blend of 15 essential micronutrients (10 vitamins and 5 minerals).
It is a 1gram powder used to improve the nutritional content of most staple foods. Users add Cognito to “semi-solid foods and porridges after cooking and at a temperature conducive to feed the child.`
“A sachet of Cognito® MNP is sufficient to provide 100 per cent RNI for children within the age range of six months to 59 months.’’
Also, Dr Chido Nwakanma, Communication Consultant, said that NAFDAC approved Cognito MNP while the company said it had done initial presentations to the Federal Ministry of Health and some state governments.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that home fortification of food is one of the intervention strategies the Federal Government adopted to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in children under-5 years.
UNICEF states that Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32 per cent of children under five.
An estimated two million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) but the country reaches only two out of every ten children affected with treatment.
Besides, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank Group identified three categories of malnutrition. They include stunting, wasting and overweight.
The Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates, 2020, by the organisations reports that 144 million children under-5 are stunted (too short for their age).
While 47 million are wasted (too thin for their height) and 38 million children under 5 are overweight.
