The Contribution of
Food & Beverage Companies to
Health and Nutrition in Asia
SUMMARY OF INITIATIVES - 2012
ABOUT
FOOD INDUSTRY ASIA (FIA)
FIA was founded in July 2010 by eleven of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. From
its base in Singapore, FIA seeks to enhance the industry’s role as a constructive, trusted partner in
the development of science-based policy throughout the region.
FIA provides an important hub for advocacy and debate. We bring together the food industry’s
most senior business leaders to champion initiatives that promote sustainable growth and support
regional policies that deliver harmonised results.
Our members share common values on food safety, international competitiveness and the delivery
of public health outcomes that are relevant to their products. Together, they lend support to local
industry groups in the region and reach out to stakeholders who share their common vision.
PHILOSOPHY
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
At the heart of FIA’s philosophy lies a belief that
the private sector can play a more positive role in
civil society if it has a seat at the table. To this end,
FIA is committed to building a relationship with
governments and policy makers – either directly or
through existing local industry groups – to promote
the value of public private partnerships as a costeffective mechanism for delivering socio-economic
outcomes.
OUR MEMBERS
ABOUT THIS REPORT
Bev Postma, Executive Director, FIA
This report provides a snapshot of
the many ongoing contributions
that FIA companies are making to
community health and wellness
programmes in Asia.
Arguably the fastest-moving region in
the world, Asia presents a complex
landscape of exciting opportunities and
formidable hurdles. This large group of diverse economies
faces some urgent and complex policy challenges as its
leaders are working individually and collectively to address
their own development goals. In considering these needs,
it’s clear that nothing less than a broad and compelling
effort from all sectors of society will suffice.
This effort is already taking shape thanks to pioneering,
innovative approaches from a broad range of stakeholders.
Alongside governments and NGOs, the private sector is
playing an increasingly important role, not just by providing
templates for economic success, but by investing at the
heart of local communities with lasting, measurable results.
In compiling this report, we were keen to share just some
of the remarkable programmes and initiatives that our
members are supporting in communities throughout Asia,
programmes that demonstrate the important role the food
industry is playing in the region’s development story.
priorities through innovative, targeted solutions that benefit lives
and livelihoods in a multitude of ways.
With more than 70 programmes underway around the region, FIA’s
members are making a broad and deep commitment to improving
health and wellness, empowering communities and raising quality
of life. Collectively, these programmes touch millions of lives in
positive, lasting ways.
FIA members are proving to be strong partners in building food
security throughout the region. FIA supports the 1996 World Food
Summit definition of food security, which states that food security
exists “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe,
nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” Through
their leadership in food safety, nutrition programmes, economic
development, physical activity initiatives, and nutrition literacy
education, FIA members are proving effective and reliable partners
in food security efforts.
The contributions of our members demonstrate the constructive role
the private sector is playing to meet the diverse and urgent public
health priorities in Asia. By pursuing a model based on partnership
with a broad range of public and private stakeholders, FIA members
are assisting governments throughout the region in enriching
communities and promoting healthier lifestyles, while continuing
their investment in the socio-economic success of the region.
For further information on FIA and its members, I invite you to visit
our website, www.foodindustry.asia
As leading food & beverage companies, our members
are firmly committed to promoting healthy lifestyles,
and have risen to meet the region’s health and wellness
Bev Postma
FOREWORD
S. Pushpanathan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN
Building food security in Asia is a high priority, and the food
industry can support this not only through addressing
the dual burden of under-nutrition and obesity, but also
through improving food safety standards and processes.
This Report is a strong testament to the many efforts
companies are making to forge public-private partnerships
in the region, and seeking to address Asia’s challenges in a
comprehensive manner.
This approach — of taking into account Asia’s unique
opportunities and delivering a sophisticated response for
improving nutrition and food safety — is exactly what we need
to strengthen sustainable and equitable economic development,
and improve key indicators of health and wellness.
In Asia, industry support for meeting social goals is particularly
crucial. The food industry can contribute its expertise and
human resources in a manner that is cost-effective and relevant
for governments and communities. A partnership approach
allows each side to bring its strengths and resources to tackle
common challenges. In the long term, I hope that governments
and communities throughout Asia will continue to benefit by
partnering with industry on initiatives that boost public health,
such as those in this report. Such combined efforts augur well in
the 21st Century for the future of Asia, the most dynamic region
in the world.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
As nations throughout Asia seek to
meet their economic development
goals, we know that multi-sectoral
dialogue lies at the centre of this
equation. In ASEAN, I’ve witnessed
firsthand the need for greater
integration and collaboration. It’s
clear that the private sector has a
valuable role to play in helping to
raise living standards and forge sustainable growth in
the region. This is recognised by ASEAN governments
as important for the building of the ASEAN Economic
Community by the year 2015. That’s why I’m pleased
to see so many positive developments laid out in
FIA’s Report.
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FIA: COMMITTED TO
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
FIA members all share a common commitment to improving
consumer health and wellness and building food security
throughout Asia. Collectively, and individually, their approach
embraces nutrition security, balanced diets, and physical activity.
Through a diverse portfolio of programmes and initiatives, our
members demonstrate their commitment through:
• Health and nutrition programmes that tackle hunger and
malnutrition in developing countries;
• Education programmes that help consumers understand
and implement sensible dietary practices and establish good
habits;
• Transparent nutrition labelling that makes it easy for
consumers to make informed decisions;
• Support for physical activity programmes;
• Product choices that give consumers a wide variety of
healthful options;
• A responsible approach to advertising and marketing of food
and beverage products to children.
At the World Food Summit in 1996, “food security,” was defined
as existing, “when all people at all times have access to sufficient,
safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.”
Many companies in the food & beverage sector play a leadership
role in the industry’s efforts to achieve food security in Asia. More
can be done, and engaged companies are setting the example
for others to join in the effort.
FIA members are world leaders in developing and implementing
best practices for food safety, and have made worldwide
commitments to ensure product reformulation to improve diets,
to provide clear and fact-based nutrition information for all
consumers, to market products to children responsibly, and to
promote balanced diets and physical activity.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
2
GLOBAL COMMITMENTS
One key part of FIA’s commitment to health
and wellness, is the implementation of the five
commitments that were made by the International
Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA). IFBA was
formed in 2008, when the CEOs of major food
and beverage companies signed a letter to the
director of the World Health Organization (WHO),
Dr. Margaret Chan, outlining their commitments.
The five IFBA commitments are:
1. Continue to reformulate products and
develop new products that support the goals
of improving diets;
2. Provide easily-understandable nutrition
information to all consumers;
3. Extend our responsible advertising and
marketing to children initiatives globally;
4. Raise awareness on balanced diets and
increased levels of physical activity;
5. Actively support public-private partnerships
that support the WHO’s Global Strategy.
By supporting these commitments, FIA members
are making a positive contribution to global efforts
to deal with non-communicable Diseases (NCDs),
while also meeting the unique challenges faced by
developing countries in Asia, where under-nutrition
remains a serious threat.
COMPANY
PROGRAMMES
WE ARE PROUD TO
PRESENT SOME OF
THE PROGRAMMES
FIA MEMBERS
ARE ENGAGED
IN AROUND THE
REGION:
NOURISHING INDIA: CARGILL WORKS TO IMPROVE
NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY
In many countries and regions throughout Asia,
under-nutrition and food security remain a very real
threat, with numerous consumers struggling to meet
their daily nutrition needs.
Cargill has committed $3 million USD to support the
United Nations World Food Program’s (WFP) Madhya
Pradesh Fast Track Nutrition programme for two
years. The project aims to significantly improve infant
and child nutrition, while at the same time helping
to break the vicious cycle of under-nutrition that is
caused by and contributes to the state’s deep-rooted
poverty. The project is expected to benefit about 1
million people, especially children under age 6, as
well as pregnant and lactating women.
Cargill reaches approximately 30 million consumers
through its nutritionally fortified edible oils. Ninetynine percent of all households in India consume edible
The company also encourages nutritional fortification
of food products by engaging with central and state
governments. In partnership with the Global Alliance
for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Cargill advocates for
food fortification and for availability of fortified food
products through government-run public distribution
systems.
The company’s efforts don’t stop there: Cargill works
to improve access to nutritious food for those who
need it most by partnering with the Global Food
Banking Network (GFN) and Aidmatrix Foundation.
Together with the two organisations, Cargill helped
to establish the India Food Banking Network (IFBN)
to support the feeding programmes that already exist
throughout India and develop new programmes.
Cargill also supported the school feeding programmes
of Akshaya Patra, one of India’s leading NGOs.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
In India, Cargill has stepped in to nourish local
communities through programmes that improve
nutrition, health, education and livelihoods. Cargill
partners with established, credible global, national
and local organisations to help make a difference
to the lives and livelihoods of some of India’s most
vulnerable. “Nourishing India” is the cornerstone
of Cargill’s corporate responsibility engagement,
comprising various programmes to improve nutrition
and food security.
oil, and Cargill enhances all its edible oils produced in
India with the essential vitamins A, D and E, which are
required for proper growth, development and health.
All fortification costs are absorbed by Cargill and not
passed on to consumers.
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Yunnan is one of the provinces most affected by the HIV/AIDS
epidemic and as a result has a rising number of orphans. Coca-Cola
partnered with the Chinese Foundation for Prevention of STDs and
AIDS, the Yunnan Women and Children Development Centre and the
Yunnan Ruili Women’s Association to launch its first AIDS-Impacted
Orphan Care Program in 2006 in the county of Ruili, which has more
than 110,000 inhabitants.
The programme pays for their physical check-ups and medical
expenses, subsidises their living and education expenses, and
provides soy milk powder as a supplement to their daily nutritional
needs. It also reaches out to the community with the support of the
Yunnan Ruili Women’s Association, which helps in implementing the
project locally, providing regular counselling and delivering monthly
subsidies to the orphans and their foster families.
FIGHTING THE SCOURGE
OF HIV/AIDS:
COCA-COLA CHINA TAKES
ON STD PREVENTION
In November 2007 and 2008, Coca-Cola China and the Gary Player
Foundation jointly launched two charity golf events in Shanghai,
China. The events raised 6.4 million RMB ($937,000 USD). The
money was donated to the Chinese Foundation for Prevention of
STDs and AIDS to benefit an additional 1,500 AIDS-impacted orphans
in Yunnan. On March 9, 2007, the Ministry of Civil Affairs awarded
the “2006 China Charity Award” to the AIDS-Impacted Orphan Care
Programme. The success of the programme has also propelled the
Chinese Foundation for Prevention of STDs and AIDS to implement
similar initiatives in Guizhou, Henan and Anhui provinces.
Since 2005, Coca-Cola China has been partnering
with the Chinese Foundation for Prevention of STDs
and AIDS on an annual national HIV/AIDS awareness
and prevention campaign with the theme “Nationwide
Action, Operation AIDS Free.” The campaign targets
women and youth in over 200 cities and counties. In
2008, the campaign reached 3 million students in 108
universities across China.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
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In 2007, Coca-Cola China also launched a migrant
worker HIV/AIDS awareness programme in partnership
with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria. The programme distributed
educational playing cards to Coca-Cola system
employees across China and migrant workers in
nine major cities. A total of 100,000 decks of playing
cards were distributed. Each of the decks’ 54 cards
is embossed with a different educational message
about HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria.
Coca-Cola also joined the “China HIV/AIDS Media
Partnership” (CHAMP) launched by the Global
Business Coalition on 14 November 2008. The
project utilises cooperative expertise in commercial
marketing and mass communications and helps raise
awareness of HIV/AIDS in China. Coca-Cola was the
first company to support the CHAMP partnership in
China and provided funding for the management,
coordination and production of CHAMP campaign
materials. HIV/AIDS prevention messages were
broadcast on 71 TV stations in 25 provinces across
China, reaching 679.1 million people.
“The initiative shown by Coca-Cola China in
supporting China’s HIV/AIDS prevention work not
only demonstrates the Company’s noble concern
for humanity and responsibility for society, but it
also serves as a catalyst for more multinational
companies to join in the cause.”
Li Chaolin, Chairman
Chinese Foundation for Prevention of STDs and AIDS
BOOSTING EARLY CHILDHOOD
DEVELOPMENT: FRIESLANDCAMPINA
HELPS COMMUNITIES IN INDONESIA
Since 2009, FrieslandCampina has supported
25 community-based early childhood
development centres that are located
around the company plants in East Jakarta,
covering over 6,500 children under the age
of 5. The programme focuses on developing
the motor skills of young children along with
their social skills for pre-school education.
At these posts, children receive additional
nutrition by means of daily milk provided
by FrieslandCampina, while the teachers
receive training and updated information
from national level experts, paid for by
the company. The provision of support for
this community programme was based
on findings from a FrieslandCampina
social mapping and needs assessment.
The study was conducted to help the
communities better understand their
children’s early development needs.
Sri Hartiti Bowo, wife of Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, weighing a baby at a
community post supported by FrieslandCampina Indonesia.
Other efforts commenced in 2009 include support for early childhood development by provision of supplies
and training, provision of equipment for local clinics servicing senior citizens, environmental cleanliness efforts
including prevention of dengue fever, and support for local mushroom farming business initiatives. These
efforts have supported over 30,000 people.
FrieslandCampina has also contributed to wellbeing in Indonesia by offering a free community health and
nutrition programme, which has reached nearly 70,000 individuals and an additional 22,000 families in
hundreds of locations across Indonesia.
The programme includes consultation with nutrition experts from the National Nutritionists Association on
various aspects of nutrition, child growth, nutrition for pregnant women and overall family nutrition awareness.
The services provided also include nutrition status evaluation (height, weight and head measurement) as well
as interactive kid’s games.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
5
STARTING THE DAY RIGHT:
KELLOGG’S HELPS STUDENTS
EAT A BETTER BREAKFAST
Kellogg’s School Breakfast Club in action – Seoul, South Korea.
Eating a good breakfast is an important part of
starting the day the right way, a lesson Kellogg’s is
helping school children learn. In Seoul, South Korea,
Kellogg’s sponsors the School Breakfast Club in
junior high schools and high schools, providing free
cereal for breakfast, as well as nutrition education
classes.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
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In India, Kellogg’s has run a School Nutrition Education
Program in over 20 cities across the country, helping
school children develop the nutrition literacy they
need to be healthy. Kellogg’s also partners with
academic institutions in India to research the dietary
habits of Indian consumers, providing much-needed
scientific data.
Kellogg’s has also taken the next step in India
by working with the United Way India to provide
nutritious food to underprivileged students through
the Mid-day Meal programme.
And, in 2009 and 2011, Kellogg’s joined forces with
the Research Centre, College of Home Science to
conduct a survey in Mumbai and Delhi looking at
breakfast habits in both adults and children. The
survey showed many ate a nutritionally inadequate
breakfast, or skipped the meal altogether. Kellogg’s
and the College of Home Science responded by
partnering to provide consumers with information on
the importance of breakfast.
Kraft Foods China employees with students at a Project Hope school.
SERVING UP HOPE ONE MEAL AT A TIME:
KRAFT FOODS LENDS A HAND TO RURAL SCHOOLS
In 2009-2010, Kraft Foods partnered with the foundation
to build 100 school kitchens in rural schools in Anhui,
Yunnan, Jilin, Hunan and Hebei provinces. Kraft Foods
is committed to building another 50-100 of the kitchens
in rural China in 2011-2012. Every Kraft Hope Kitchen
is equipped with standard cooking utensils, refrigerator,
disinfection cabinet, as well as nutrition and dietary
knowledge and food safety operational guidelines.
Kraft Foods China also donates an equal amount of
products to these schools to support its business
partners’ charity efforts.
Kraft Foods employees have contributed as well. In
2010, more than 570 employees from Kraft Foods China
spent three working days at migrant workers’ schools,
helping out at orphanages, providing education on
childhood nutrition, teaching handicapped children
to prepare food for themselves, and serving healthy
meals at Kraft Hope Kitchen. Kraft employees spent
more than 1,000 hours of volunteer services in 2010
teaching teachers and students about nutrition and
food safety.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
In rural China, school children are getting a nutritious
boost, thanks to the efforts of Kraft Foods. The
company, together with the China Youth Development
Foundation, builds new school kitchens for rural
schools, which to date has helped more than 50,000
rural school children across the country.
7
Schoolchildren in China brush their teeth at a health clinic sponsored by The Wrigley Foundation
and Save the Children, part of Mars’ health and wellness efforts in Asia.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HEALTH:
MARS TACKLES THE CHALLENGE
Good health is comprised of numerous factors. In China,
Mars is working to address these factors at schools that
serve the children of migrant workers, who often lack
access to social services.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
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Mars works with Save the Children, which provides
migrant school health clinics with basic supplies, creates
individual health records, promotes physical exams,
reviews the nutritional value of school meals, and trains
teachers to deliver health education classes on topics
related to health, hygiene and oral health.
The programme also mobilises 4,500 migrant parents
to support these health and hygiene practices through
events and training sessions, and is expected to impact
more than 23,000 schoolchildren aged 6-13 in Shanghai
and Guangzhou.
Mars subsidiary Wrigley is also working with Save the
Children through The Wrigley Foundation, which in 2011
announced a two year, $3 million USD school health
partnership with the organisation. The programme is
intended to improve health and nutrition for some 273,000
children in six countries around the world, including China,
Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Kenya and Tajikistan.
MORE CROP PER DROP: MCCAIN TEACHES AND SUPPORTS
SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT AGRONOMY
With its deep roots in farming and good agronomy
practices, McCain has worked for many years
now with local farmers in India to enhance yields
and dramatically reduce the water used in crop
production. By transferring its knowledge in respect
of modern and responsible cultivation, irrigation,
and harvesting techniques, McCain Foods is helping
farmers improve their local economies and feed more
families with good nutritious food.
In certain parts of the world, such as India, where water supply
is scarce and drought conditions prevail, McCain knows that
each drop counts and that clean drinking water is critical to
the health and wellness of communities. As a crop, potatoes
produce more food per unit of water than any other crop, but
crop watering practices vary widely and must be tailored to the
geographical location. In the Gujarat region of India, traditional
crop technologies included flood irrigation using large amounts
of water with very low efficiency.
Farming in rural India was traditionally done manually,
but since McCain Foods’ arrival just over 10 years
ago, partner growers have learned the technology
of sowing and reaping with machines and the value
of applying specific fertilisers. The result has been
record-breaking; yields (potatoes/acre of land) have
increased by 30-50 percent vs. traditional methods.
Optimisation of fertiliser use has meant less leaching
and lower costs. McCain Foods helped farmers
reduce their expenditures by 35 percent and increase
their income by 104 percent. Today, more than 1,000
farmers in India are cultivating 3,000 acres of potatoes
for McCain’s use.
Supporting farmers in their acquisition of drip and sprinkler
technology and teaching them in its application has resulted in
a 30 percent decrease in water use and an increase in produce
yields of more than 40 percent. Subsidies offered by the State
and Gujarat governments of India have resulted in gradual
replacement of flooding as an irrigation method for many crops.
In Gujarat, McCain contract growers saved 2.6 to 3.2 billion
litres of water (all potato growers of Gujarat, including McCain
contract growers, saved 74.8 to 91.8 billion litres of water)
because of sprinkler and drip irrigation in the 2010/2011 potato
growing season.
The drip and sprinkler irrigated area under potato cultivation in
Gujarat has increased to almost 8,500 acres today, compared to
roughly 2,500 acres in 2004. In the words of McCain agronomist
Ghislain Pelletier, drip irrigation produces “more crop per drop”.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
A partner grower increases yield with “more crop per drop”
knowhow from McCain.
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IMPROVING HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE:
MCDONALD’S PITCHES IN
Giving underprivileged children in Thailand the gift of eyecare through the Ronald McDonald Care
Mobile programme.
Medical care remains a challenge in much of Asia, and McDonald’s is working through the Ronald
McDonald House Charities to make a difference in the lives of children.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
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In China, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) works with the highly respected China
Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF), a non-profit organisation established in commemoration of
Soong Ching Ling, the late Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China. Together, they
provide free surgery procedures for needy children with congenital heart defects.
In Thailand, the RMHC Thailand Foundation partners with the Thai Red Cross Society and the Top
Charoen chain of optical care service to offer free eye examinations to underprivileged children
nationwide. Since October 2008, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile has screened over 28,000
children and given out close to 10,000 pairs of eyeglasses. The Charity also runs the Ronald
McDonald House located at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, which provides
a home-away-from-home for families to reside in, as they stay close to their children receiving
medical treatment.
Helping children maintain their academic activities while they are hospitalised is a focus of
McDonald’s in South Korea. Through RMHC Korea, the Schools-in-Hospitals programme was set
up to help kids keep up with their schoolwork. Teachers offer academic instruction five days a week
in the hospital, and children enjoy music and art activities provided by volunteers. RMHC Korea
funded equipment, computers, books, furniture, and other items are provided for the in-hospital
classrooms.
PROVIDING CLEAN DRINKING WATER:
NESTLÉ STEPS UP IN SOUTH ASIA
While water is the stuff of life, many countries and regions in Asia still struggle to provide residents with an
adequate supply of clean drinking water. In 1999, around its factory in the state of Punjab, Nestlé India initiated
a project to provide clean drinking water facilities in village schools, create awareness in the community
about water issues and involve them in improving the water situation.
Thus far, 200 drinking water facilities have been completed, reaching about 120,000 school children while
creating awareness regarding water among 33,500 students. In June 2005, Nestlé India’s factory in Punjab
was awarded the Punjab government’s award for “Environmental Excellence” in recognition of its efforts,
among others, in the construction of these clean drinking water facilities.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
After identifying schools where the village community is able to take joint ownership, Nestlé India invests
in the drilling of deep bore wells and constructing water tanks that store the clean water, allowing school
children regular access to clean drinking water. The project also includes an education component that
teaches students about the importance of clean water, the need for water conservation and the link between
clean water, hygiene, health and wellness. In recognition of the importance of the Clean Drinking Water
projects for rural schools, Nestlé has extended the project to schools in all factory communities across
India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
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THE IMPORTANCE
OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
PEPSICO GETS KIDS MOVING
A crucial part of good health is living a balanced lifestyle, which includes not only a
healthful diet, but, just as importantly, adequate physical activity. In India, the PepsiCo
Health & Wellness programme works with prominent NGOs and the Indian Medical
Association to raise awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition and regular
physical activity for a healthy lifestyle among school children. To date, the programme
has reached over 1 million children in 477 schools across 12 cities in India.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
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Through the PepsiCo Foundation, the company has given NGO Save the Children $4.4
million USD in grant money to work with community health educators to provide families
with important information regarding health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene. In
total, the project reaches 100,000 people, including 50,000 children under the age of 5,
mothers, and pregnant and lactating women through health and nutrition intervention.
Water and sanitation initiatives across Rajasthan reach another 50,000 people.
Through the PepsiCo Foundation, the company has also funded critical initiatives aimed
at improving consumer health and wellness. From 2007-2010, the foundation provided
the Oxford Health Alliance with a $1.13 million USD grant to conduct research aimed at
reducing chronic disease, such as diabetes.
UNLOCKING A KEY TO BETTER HEALTH:
UNILEVER BRINGS HYGIENE EDUCATION TO INDIA
A basic building block of better health is good hygiene. In India, Unilever’s
Lifebuoy brand has launched the Swasthya Chetna programme, the single
largest private rural health and hygiene educational programme in the country.
The objective of the programme is to educate people about basic hygiene
habits. With a focus on rural communities, the programme targets school
children, women and community elders. Its vision is to change the hygiene
behaviour of one billion people across the world by 2015 through encouraging
regular hand washing with soap.
The Contribution Of Food & Beverage Companies To Health And Nutrition In Asia
Since 2002, the project has reached more than 120 million Indians. In
recognition of this massive effort, the Indian Postal Department released a
special Lifebuoy Swasthya Chetna Postal Cover in 2006.
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