Nigeria’s battle against deficiencies in childhood nutrition got a boost recently with the introduction of a micronutrient fortification product for quick and easy utilisation by families.
The call came in response to the challenge of high infant mortality arising from poor feeding in the country. Micronutrient Laboratories Limited unveiled its Cognito Micronutrient Powder (Cognito MNP) at the 44th annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) which held in Lagos recently. 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.
The launch of the product was one of the highlights of the annual conference of the nation’s food scientists and technologists. According to UNICEF, 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, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank Group has identified three categories of malnutrition, which are stunting, wasting and overweight nutrient deficiencies. New Telegraph.
