Britannia Nutrition Foundation celebrates National Nutrition Month commits to impact lives of more than 7500 households in Bharuch. On the occasion of National Nutrition Month, Britannia Nutrition Foundation (BNF) raises commitment to positively impact the lives of over 1 lakh beneficiaries spread across more than 300 villages & slums in 8 states of India.
The foundation was set up in 2010 with a vision to partake in addressing malnutrition in children, adolescents, and women. Over the last 11 years, BNF, in partnership with government and non government stakeholders, has undertaken several initiatives to identify and tackle the root causes of malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia specifically among children, adolescents and women. As a part of its on-going commitment, BNF, through its two flagship programs – Swasth Bharat and Suposhan, is reaching 48 villages in 3 blocks, spanning 7500 households.
These programs are extended through the robust network of 78 Anganwadis. Swasth Bharat program is dedicated to actively seek and tackle nutrition deficiency in children under 6 years of age by focusing on the main contributing factors, including child feeding practices, dietary diversity, hygiene & sanitation, and strengthening service access and delivery.
A quintessential component of this program is also to engage communities, especially women, and empower them to
become the change agents. This approach of participatory development, apart from ensuring the assimilation and application of knowledge related to health and nutrition, also helps in breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
Similarly, Suposhan program addresses anemia among adolescents wherein other than regular monitoring of Iron levels in adolescents and encouraging the uptake of IFA supplementation, a comprehensive approach in the development of knowledge and positive attitude towards proper health, nutrition and hygiene practices is also implemented.
Varun Berry, Trustee, Britannia Nutrition Foundation said, “Child malnutrition is a chronic problem in India affecting 1 in every 3 children. The lack of access to nutrition leads to impaired growth and development. As we complete 11 years, Britannia Nutrition Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to combat malnutrition and supporting the government’s vision for a ‘Kuposhan’ (malnutrition) and Anemia ‘Mukt’ Bharat. We are now enhancing our efforts to reach out to more than 1 lakh children, adolescents and mothers and working closely with district level authorities and other partners to augment their efforts.’’
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