As part of measures to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, Micronutrient Laboratories Limited, producers of Cognito Micronutrient Powder, a vitamins and minerals fortification mix, has explained why it has joined hands with the Lagos State Government: to tackle child malnutrition issues in the state. The company urged all pregnant women to give priority to what they consume and ensure adequate care for their nutrition by fortifying their bodies with essential micronutrients.
This admonition was made during an event organised by Micronutrient Laboratories to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, which held at the Maternal and Child Centre, Eti-Osa, Lagos. While encouraging women to breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months of life, the company stressed the importance of a child’s first 1000 days, adding that no child should be denied of this essential window of opportunity to build a solid foundation for future growth and normal adult life.
According to the Chief Innovation Officer, Micronutrient Labs Limited, Dr Kenny Acholonu, Cognito MNP responds to a challenge and societal need for local production of micronutrient powder. Cognito MNP is an essential blend of vitamins and minerals to support bodily functions. Experts said it has proven beneficial to the reduction of infant malnutrition in children under five years old. Cognito MNP is now being recommended for adults as well.
“Cognito assists Nigeria to tackle the problem of micronutrient deficiency. It fortifies food lacking in vital nutrients that many of our citizens eat and serve their children. Cognito MNP has been part of the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Health programme to fight the scourge of malnutrition in the country. The product comprises 15 micronutrients of which 10 are Vitamins and 5 are highly effective minerals needed to fight the deadly scourge of micronutrient deficiencies ravaging nearly 80 million Nigerian children and adults and significantly providing superior, improved health status to this segment of our population.”
Also, the Technical and Regulatory Manager of Micronutrient Laboratories, Mrs. Rachel Amadasun, said the wide acceptance of Cognito MNP has been very uplifting for the company given the detailed attention to all quality and food safety parameters deployed to ensure that the consumer enjoys a wholesome and efficacious product offering. She explained that the product can be enjoyed by both children and the whole family using the recommended dosages: three sachets per week for children and two sachets per day for all adults above 18 years. It would boost the immune system and reduce the debilitating effects of both bacterial and viral infections.
According to the Sales and Marketing Consultant, Micronutrient Labs, Maryanne Okoye, the event is also an opportunity to create awareness of the need for nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively and to also recognise the need for them to switch to Cognito after six months to ensure their baby has a good start in life.