The utilities of Spirulina Fortified Sugar (SFS) have been helpful in reducing malnutrition in children, said C.S. Kedar, CEO of JSW Foundation.

Addressing a meeting at Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), Dr. Kedar said their mission against malnutrition was a blend of action-research and evidence-based advocacy.

Explaining how the award-winning project was being implemented in Karnataka in partnership with the State Department of Women and Child Development, he said the unique CSR project was fighting malnutrition and bringing radical changes in the practice and policy framework.

He said spirulina was an algae, bluish green in colour which had plenty of nutritional values. Pointing to the fact that 38% of children suffered malnutrition in the country, he said a child’s brain fully develops in the first 1000 days of birth. Malnutrition at this stage would result in serious problems in future for the child, he said.

He said spirulina was a supplementary food which showed good result. Speaking about the many benefits of spirulina, he said it was inexpensive, easy to produce locally had long shelf life and was easy to store and transport. He said national institutions like Central Food Technological Research Institute and National Institute of Nutrition were recommending spirulina as a micronutrient supplement.

Member Secretary, AP State Planning Board and CEO of Smart AP Foundation B. Gangaiah, Circle head of Axis Bank V. Ramakrishna, former national president of Indian Medical Association G. Samaram and others were present.