Bringing Micronutrients to Scale in Rwanda

This year marks the 20-year anniversary of the invention of Micronutrient Powders (MNP). Since developing MNP, or ‘Sprinkles’, at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, and after 10 years of research, we have seen more than 62 countries manufacture and distribute MNP to over 10 million children. MNP contain vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron and vitamin A, typically lacking in young children’s diets in low and middle-income countries, yet essential for healthy nutrition. MNP are sprinkled into foods by caregivers in a process known as ‘home fortification’.

Although ten million children are getting the nourishment they need, there are millions more who are not. According to UNICEF, 40% of preschool children are estimated to be anaemic, an estimated 250 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient and iodine deficiency remains one of the main causes of impaired cognitive development in children. It is for these reasons and more that the nutrition community is coming together next week at the Micronutrient Forum in Cancun Mexico to discuss ways to tackle micronutrient (mineral and vitamin) deficiencies.