Illovo Sugar Limited is spending over a billion kwacha annually in the production of sugar fortified with Vitamin A, which health experts say has helped reduce deficiencies among Malawias.
Reports say over 80 percent of people in the country have gained access to Vitamin A through the sugar fortification exercise for the past five years.
Illovo Sugar head of Marketing Walter Nyamirandu Manda said they have introduced Zikutheka ndi Illovo promotion to encourage Malawians to consume more Vitamin A fortified sugar.
Vitamin A deficiency is associated with a number of serious health implications such as night blindness, poor bone growth, poor child development and increased risk of infection.
In view of this government of Malawi, in collaboration with Illovo Sugar Limited, UNICEF, USAID and Irish Aid, five years ago launched a sugar fortification exercise to address the health challenge.
Nyamirandu Manda said they are investing K1.1 billion kwacha annually in the production of fortified sugar, which has also boosted business.
“We will continue investing adequate resources towards the initiative to increase the uptake of Vitamin A as advocated by the government, and we are impressed with the uptake,” said Nyamirandu Manda.
A 2015/16 Malawi Micronutrients Survey, which was conducted by the National Statistical Office, with support from the health ministry, revealed that fortified sugar has helped reduce Vitamin A deficiency.