Renata Ltd takes on child nutrition

Renata Ltd is set to make sprinkles, a common child nutritional product that is used to reduce iron, vitamin and mineral deficiency.

The product is expected to address paediatric anaemia and malnutrition, which causes severe physical and mental damage to children.

“Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are the leading cause that arrests the growth of children aged between six and 24 months. This is the most important stage, as a child's physical and mental developments take place,” said Syed S Kaiser Kabir, chief executive officer and managing director of Renata.

“We are encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies, as that is the major source of vitamins, iron and minerals. If someone fails, they should add sprinkles to their children's diet, as it will fulfil the nutritional need of those babies,” he added.

He said Renata started manufacturing sprinkles under the brand name of Magix at its own factory in Mirpur, a rare feat, as there are only five to six such units all over the world.

Prior to that, the company received a grant of $2 million from the Geneva-headquartered Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), an alliance driven by the vision of a world without malnutrition, early this year for promoting the product to the poor.

Renata started manufacturing nutritional supplements -- Magix -- this year and is expected to launch it in the local market by the first quarter of 2010.

Initially, Brac will distribute the product through its grassroots network, which will help prevent vitamin deficiencies and give nutrition back into the hands of primary caregivers.

The company fixed the price of each sachet at Tk 2.50, and one has to take 60 intakes of the one-a-day Magix to fulfill the need.