Merzci launches iron-fortified rice in Bacolod to address malnutrition

CM & Sons Food Products, Inc., affectionately recognized as Merzci, launched the Iron Rice Plus that aimed to address malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Friday, August 18.

Joana Paypon, senior area manager of Merzci, said this endeavor is poised to transform the food industry's role in advancing public health and overall well-being, specifically targeting improved nutrition within the community.

She said the primary emphasis is on catering to the nutritional needs of various segments, including young children and adolescents, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

"This will be achieved by introducing rice fortified with iron, aiming to fortify their diets and enhance their overall health," she added.

Paypon noted that they started adopting the technology of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2020, from e-nutribun squash to carrots and sweet potatoes.

"This is the biggest project that we have, which is iron-fortified rice," Paypon said.

She said that for now, they cater to the school-based feeding program of the Department of Education (DepEd) and will soon have the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) projects or feeding for children and pregnant women, among others.

"This pivotal juncture serves as proof of the company's unwavering commitment to align its actions with the overarching goal of tackling malnutrition and promoting the comprehensive well-being of the community," she added.

Paypon said central to this endeavor is the core idea of Iron Fortified Rice for Nutrition and Overall Wellness (IFRNOW).

"This pioneering methodology encompasses the integration of cutting-edge technologies like ‘Iron Rice Premix’ and ‘Iron Fortified Rice’ from DOST-FNRI (Food and Nutrition Research Institute)," she said.

She added that they have the largest facility in the country that is fully accredited by DOST-FNRI.

CM & Sons Food Products, Inc., or Merzci, has a factory in Barangay Vista, Bacolod City.

Paypon said Iron Rice Plus is not yet available in the market since they still have to comply with the complete requirement for commercialization.

She said that for now, Iron Rice Plus is only available to their partners, which are government agencies.

DOST-FNRI Director Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa said the launching of Iron Rice Plus marked a momentous occasion, not only for the technologies of DOST-FNRI but also for the embodiment of a vision that has been nurtured through unwavering dedication and steadfast collaboration with the government and private sectors to address malnutrition in our country.

She said micronutrient deficiencies continue to be a significant nutritional concern in the Philippines.

As highlighted in the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the DOST-FNRI, she added that iron-deficiency anemia mostly affects infants, women of childbearing age, pregnant and lactating women.

Angeles-Agdeppa noted that this condition can lead to premature births, and maternal mortality, hinder physical and mental growth and development, and weaken the immune system.

"As one of the most cost-efficient and cost-effective approaches to curbing micronutrient deficiency, we are continuously developing and rolling out nutritious and fortified food technologies," Angeles-Agdeppa said.

She said food fortification, which involves adding nutrients to commonly- consumed foods to enhance their nutritional value, proves to be a viable method for reaching economically and nutritionally at-risk segments of the population.

She added that by consuming four cups of cooked Iron-Fortified Rice per day, 40 percent of an adult's iron requirement can be met.

The activity was also attended by CM & Sons Food Products Inc.'s chief executive officer and president, Jonathan Manuel Lo, and his family, Ian Lo, members of the Bacolod City Council, Congressman Greg Gasataya, and representatives from various government agencies.*