The nutrition study is intended to provide insights into the dietary patterns of vulnerable women and children. Malnutrition is common in the country, therefore, FrieslandCampina said, providing products that are affordable, contain dairy, and are rich in nutrients is very important.
The AfricaNutrition program resembles FrieslandCampina’s nutrition study SEANUTS (South East Asia Nutritional Survey), which is currently being conducted in Southeast Asia. The nutritional research stems from the company’s goal of providing nutrition for the world population by making dairy products more accessible.
Dustin Woodward, managing director, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy Africa, said, “The AfricaNutrition program is yet another great example of doing well by doing good. Understanding the nutritional deficiencies of vulnerable population in West Africa is very important. In this way we can further enrich and fortify our recipes, whilst still making them affordable and available to the wider population. We launch the program in Ivory Coast but aim to scale it up across the African continent.”
A total of 423 women (aged 18 to 49) and 423 children (aged 6 to 12) participated in the study in Côte d'Ivoire. Participants were approached by the research team in four cities: Bouaké, Daloa, Abengourou and Yopougon (Abidjan). Participants were interviewed by research staff with questions about socio-economic status and daily food intake. Their height and weight were also measured.
The research conducted in the AfricaNutrition program is intended to provide insights into which nutrients this vulnerable group is either not consuming or not in sufficient amounts. The company said insights from the study will be used to optimize the nutritional values of its products intended for the inhabitants of Côte d'Ivoire. The research results are expected in June 2021.