Britannia’s nutrition initiative

Decline in productivity due to malnutrition causes a 3-4 per cent drop in the country’s GDP with about 40 per cent of the population being undernourished, Vinita Bali, managing director, Britannia Industries said.

Decline in productivity due to malnutrition causes a 3-4 per cent drop in the country’s GDP with about 40 per cent of the population being undernourished, Vinita Bali, managing director, Britannia Industries said.

HT Image

The issue must be addressed at the earliest to reap demographic dividend, she added. “It is cause for concern as good quality human capital would be impacted due to under-nourishment,” Bali said.

Britannia Nutrition Foundation, launched on Monday, would undertake various initiatives along with the government to address the issue.

A good part of under-nourishment is due to lack of awareness, and almost 10 per cent victims do not fall in the below poverty line category. “The problem of under-nourishment is not always due to lack of purchase power but also largely due to lack of awareness,” said Veena Rao, member, advisory board, Britannia Nutrition Foundation.

Bali claimed that 50 per cent of Britannia products – both biscuits and breads – are fortified.