Multi-micronutrient Activities

A person who is deficient in one micronutrient, such as vitamin A, is likely to be deficient in other micronutrients, such as iron and zinc. Of all micronutrient deficiencies, iron deficiency is the most prevalent and is the major cause of anemia. Approximately 50% of young children in developing countries suffer from iron deficiency which can have an irreversible affect on their cognitive and physical development. Anemic mothers are at great risk for sickness and death. Anemic adults in general are less productive and suffer from lethargy, reducing work output and having an important impact on the economy where the prevalence is sufficiently high.

HKI has taken the lead in assessing the health benefits of multiple micronutrient supplementations to pregnant women and their children. In Indonesia, after years of working with food industry, pharmaceutical and UN partners to develop, pilot and assess the multi-micronutrient sprinkles formula packaged as Vitalita®, HKI pioneered the use of sprinkles as a first-line emergency intervention among the nutritionally-distressed tsunami survivors in Indonesia’s Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, which bore the brunt of the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. Vitalita® is also being channeled by HKI to assist in the nutritional crisis in Niger.

Consequentially, the use of sprinkles to provide nutritional support in emergencies is the subject of global policy discussions led by UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Food Program. HKI also provides non-emergency sprinkles program that focusing on social marketing, developing production and distribution channels, and assessing nutritional impact.