Latest News Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 7th March, 2023 Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) celebrates 10 years of engaging with the private sector to improve nutrition 19th January, 2023 Helen Weldemichael emerges winner of the Global EatSafe Innovation Challenge 21st October, 2022 Empowering Private Sector Partnerships for Scaling Up Nutrition | Formation of SBN Sri Lanka Steering Committee 2024 – 2026 22nd April, 2024 Celebrating the impact of Women inclusion in nutrition activities – IWD 2024 25th March, 2024 Supporting Entrepreneurs to Adopt Scalable Techniques to Improve Nutrition for Low-income Consumers 25th March, 2024 Appointment of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Government Focal Point – Sri Lanka 4th March, 2024 Step Out and Innovate! World Creativity and Innovation Day 2023 6th July, 2023 Reflections from AU High Level Dialogue on Nutrition Financing 2023 15th May, 2023 A National Benchmarking Pilot for Food Systems Actors in LMIC – Bangladesh 8th May, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Whatsapp 2Sep Private Sector Role in Improving Nutrition at the Asian Congress of Nutrition Axton Salim, Co-Chair of the SUN Business Network’s Advisory Group and Director of Indofood spoke of the role of the private sector in accelerating the end of malnutrition at the 2019 Asian Congress of Nutrition. The Conference, entitles ‘Nutrition and Food Innovation for Sustained Wellbeing’ took place on 4-7th August in Bali, Indonesia. It was hosted by the Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia and the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies. The Conference was attended by nutrition experts, policy makers and researchers. Axton Salim, Co-Chair, SUN Business Network Advisory Group & Director, Indofood The plenary session, ‘Accelerating the End of Hunger and Malnutrition’ brought together Prof Martin Bloem (John Hopkins University), Dr Ir Subandi (SUN Focal Point Indonesia) and Axton Salim to discuss the prevalence of malnutrition in Asia, where 14 million children experience at least two forms of malnutrition, including overweight, anaemia and stunting. Axton Salim spoke of the important role the private sector can play in overcoming malnutrition by creating healthy foods using local ingredients and inexpensive production costs to ensure they can be sold at an affordable price to low income consumers. In addition, he outlined five key areas through which the private sector can contribute to improved nutrition: Agriculture & Nutrition: Provide investment in technological innovationLarge Scale Food Fortification: Fortify staples and condiments with essential vitaminsSpecially formulated foods for targeted groups: Increase the availability of specially formulated foodsWorkforce Nutrition Programmes: Educate employees about the importance of nutritious foodsSupporting nutrition sensitive interventions: Play a key role in strengthening underlying health systems As Director of Indofood, Axton Salim has introduced a number of initiatives to improve nutrition in Indonesia, which includes: Fortification of flour with B vitamins and iron to meet the micronutrient needs of the population.Launch of nutritious foods marketed at youth (e.g. healthy cereals, snacks and biscuits containing a range of vitamins and minerals).Introduction of a Workforce Nutrition Programme for Indofood employees which comprises sport programmes, medical check-ups, healthy food served in the canteen, and lactation rooms. So far, 25,000 employees have benefitted from this programme and Indofood has reported reduced absenteeism due to illness and increased productivity.Development of an adolescent nutrition education mobile app to show teenagers the importance of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, as well as encouraging the growth of local start-ups in the fields of food, nutrition and health. Axton Salim also spoke in his capacity as Coordinator of the SUN Business Network Indonesia, which is supporting three government priorities around nutrition; First 1,000 Days and Adolescents, Balanced Nutritious Foods, and Sanitation, Health and Hygiene. 14 million children in Asia suffer at least 2 forms of malnutrition Mr Axton Salim was appointed as Director of Indofood, a leading Indonesian food company, in 2009. He heads the Dairy and Beverages Divisions and has held a broad range of leadership roles in Indofood and its subsidiaries. He is concurrently the Director of ICBP (2009-present), Non-Executive Director of IndoAgri (2007-present), Gallant Venture Ltd (2014-present), Commissioner of Lonsum (2009-present) and SIMP (2007-present). Mr Axton Salim is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the SUN Business Network Advisory Group. Follow Axton Salim on Twitter: @axtonsalim