Innovations to overcome anaemia and malnutrition surfaced through the SUN Pitch Competition in Indonesia

The 2019 edition of the SUN Pitch Competition in Indonesia surfaced a range of exciting food design innovations and solutions to overcome anaemia and malnutrition across the country.

This year’s competition, organised by the Innovation Factory, SUN Business Network Indonesia, and supported by 8 of their members (Indofood, Nutrifood, Cargill Indonesia, Kalbe, Otsuka, BASF, East West Seed Indonesia and Tirta Investama), attracted 65 applications from SMEs committed to developing affordable and highly nutritious food products to tackle worrying levels of anaemia and malnutrition in Indonesia.

About 30% of Indonesian women aged 15-24 have anaemia, 30.8% of children under 5 are stunted and around 10% of children under 5 are wasted (Source: Riskesdas Indonesia 2018).

“Through the SUN Pitch Competition, the SUN Business Network Indonesia invites local SMEs to be part of the solution to the problem of anaemia and malnutrition through product innovation. We are pleased to see the enthusiasm and creativity of business, industry, SMEs and entrepreneurs in this competition. This shows the spirit of collaboration to accelerate the alleviation of anaemia and malnutrition problems in Indonesia”, said Axton Salim, Director of Indofood, SBN Indonesia Coordinator and Co-Chair of the SBN Global Advisory Group.

From the 65 initial pitch applications, 20 were shortlisted to participate in mentorship sessions to refine their pitches. 10 SMEs were then selected to join the SUN Pitch Competition Indonesia final on 17th December 2019, pitching their innovative food design solutions to address anaemia and malnutrition to a panel of high level judges.

Bale Sehat, who manufacture a range of rice bran products, was crowned the overall winner of the SUN Pitch Competition Indonesia 2019. Rice bran is highly nutritious, containing protein, fibre, vitamin B complex, iron minerals, calcium and zinc.

“100g of rice bran contains 13% protein and a very high content of vitamin B complex. One of the functions of vitamin B complex is to increase the absorption of iron in the body, so rice bran is a great source to prevent anaemia”, said Mohammad Zacky Rizano of Bale Sehat.

At present, Bale Sehat only produces 750 boxes of rice bran per month. They are seeking investment to increase production and further refine the development of their products to ensure that the rice bran tastes good but without reducing its nutritional value.

Bale Sehat won a cash prize of Rp 100 million and will now go on to receive additional mentorship and training my BoP Inc prior to competing in the Global SUN Pitch Competition in Singapore on 22nd April 2020.

View more photos from the final here.