PZ Wilmar leads campaign for food fortification

By Johnson Adebowale

As a measure to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition, PZ Wilmar, manufacturers of food brands Devon King’s and Mamador, in partnership with The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based foundation, recently intensified social awareness among the Nigerian public on the benefits of fortified food.

This was the case when the company hosted media and civil society organisations for a training workshop on food fortification at its factory in Lagos.

The workshop, which had in attendance members of the PZ Wilmar leadership, Civil Society groups, Media editors, and representatives of The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), provided PZ Wilmar the opportunity to showcase its food fortification process as an industry leader in Quality Systems and Food Fortification in Nigeria. The workshop also included a tour of the PZ Wilmar factory.

Speaking during the event in the PZ Wilmar factory in Lagos, the Head of Manufacturing at PZ Wilmar, Femi Ojumu, stated that the event highlights the organization’s products and processes as a proponent of food fortification practice in Nigeria.

“This event highlights our dedication to delivering quality food products to our consumers. It is in line with our commitment to responsible and healthy food production and consumption that puts Nigeria on the map for sustainable development in food manufacturing.” He said.

In 2021, PZ Wilmar received recognition as an industry leader in Quality Systems and Food fortification as both its food brands, Devon King’s and Mamador, emerged as the two most fortified food brands in Nigeria while participating in the inaugural launch of the Micro Fortification Index (MFI) in Nigeria, an initiative powered by TechnoServe as part of its effort to tackle malnutrition in Nigeria with support from the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation through TechnoServe’s Strengthening African Processors of Fortified Foods, SAPFF, project.

The workshop activities included presentations on Orientation and Introduction to the food fortification process, a tour of the PZ Wilmar Edible Oil Fortification facilities, and interactions with the Quality Control and Production teams. Participants in the workshop commended the organizers, particularly PZ Wilmar, for their commitment to tackling malnutrition and increasing social awareness among the Nigerian public about the benefits of food fortification.

PZ Wilmar Limited is a subsidiary of PZ Cussons. Its brands include Devon King’s and Mamador, with product portfolios that include cooking oil, margarine, spread, and seasoning.