The Millers for Nutrition initiative, a coalition of key stakeholders in food fortification, was officially launched in Ethiopia, heralding a significant step in combating malnutrition across the nation. The event highlighted the instrumental role of millers in improving public health through the fortification of essential staple foods, contributing to better nutrition for millions of Ethiopians.
The launch comes at a crucial time, as Ethiopia strengthens its commitment to addressing malnutrition through the recent implementation of mandatory food fortification policies.
On August 31, 2024, the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry rolled out a National Food Fortification Program mandating the fortification of wheat flour, edible oil, and salt, a move aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies that affect significant portions of the population. According to the Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center, 39% of Ethiopian children under five are stunted, 22% are underweight, and 11% are wasted, underscoring the urgency of interventions like this program.
Efforts to Empower Ethiopian Millers
The Millers for Nutrition initiative places the food processing sector at the forefront of fortification efforts explained Rizwuan Yusufali, the Millers for Nutrition Director.
“Millers for Nutrition is proud to align with the Ethiopian government’s vision for food fortification. By placing the food processing sector at the heart of this initiative, we recognize the vital role they play in ensuring that fortified foods reach Ethiopian households. Together, we aim to provide practical support and foster partnerships that make fortification a seamless, impactful, and sustainable part of your work.”
Yusufali also acknowledged the challenges facing millers, including rising food prices and the cost of fortification, which limit dietary diversity and access to critical nutrients. To address these barriers, the Millers for Nutrition initiative is working directly with millers by offering practical support, industry-specific training, and partnerships that ensure fortified products remain accessible and well-integrated into their operations.
Fred Grant of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the event’s chief guest, emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors.
“This launch comes at a crucial time, aligning with Ethiopia’s recent national food fortification efforts and addressing ongoing food security challenges. For true success in public-private partnerships, we must move beyond regulatory approaches and foster genuine collaboration. By working together, we can build capacity, strengthen business relationships, and create a sustainable framework for improved nutrition across the country.”
Bekele Mekuria, representing Ethiopia’s Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center, spoke about the initiative’s potential to improve public health at scale. “This event marks a significant milestone in our fight against malnutrition, bringing together government, industry, and development sectors.
The Millers for Nutrition initiative has the power to transform health outcomes for all Ethiopians by addressing nutritional deficiencies at their source—our staple foods. Success depends on strong collaboration across agriculture, health, industry, and education sectors to create a shared, sustainable approach to nutrition.”
Millers for Nutrition is backed by Strategic Fortification Partners, including BASF, dsm-firmenich, BioAnalyt, Bühler, Mühlenchemie, and SternVitamin, along with Regional Strategic Fortification Partners such as Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal, and Sanku. These partners offer millers access to vital resources, technical assistance, and industry best practices, empowering them to meet fortification standards while improving operational efficiencies.
The event also featured a CEO roundtable that brought together millers and edible oil processors to discuss challenges such as compliance with fortification regulations and competition with imported products. Prominent participants included Muluneh Lema, CEO of Wakene Food Complex; Bethel Tsegaye, Managing Director of Pharo Ventures; and Mohammed Yusuf, Board Chairman of the Ethiopian Edible Oil Industries Association. Their discussions focused on collaborative solutions to improve fortification practices and align more closely with both market and regulatory demands.
A Shared Mission for a Healthier Ethiopia
The Millers for Nutrition initiative is part of a global effort operating in eight countries across Africa and Asia, supporting millers in fortifying staple foods like wheat, rice, maize, and edible oil with essential micronutrients. In Ethiopia, the program builds on the government’s bold efforts to make fortified foods a standard, accessible option in households.
“We aim to establish a sustainable environment where fortified foods become the norm, ensuring that Ethiopians have access to essential nutrients and a better quality of life,” said Eyakem Amsalu, Millers for Nutrition Program Manager in Ethiopia.
With the coalition’s ambitious goal of improving nutrition for 1 billion people by 2026, this initiative represents a promising step toward addressing malnutrition in Ethiopia.
Through its unique approach of combining government support with practical industry collaboration, Millers for Nutrition is poised to make fortified foods an integral part of Ethiopian diets, supporting both public health and economic growth.
