Scaling Up Micronutrient Powders with WFP - A History of Innovation

Starting in Tanzania and now worldwide

Sight and Life has been at the forefront of home fortification with Micronutrient Powders (MNPs), a vital intervention aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. Since its partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) in 2005, Sight and Life has contributed significantly to the scaling of MNPs globally, transforming the way the world tackles hidden hunger—malnutrition caused by deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.

MNPs are a cost-effective, accessible solution for fortifying home-cooked meals. The simple, single-dose powders, which contain essential micronutrients, are easy to use and tasteless, allowing them to be added to any food without altering its taste, color, or texture. This intervention has been widely endorsed to address deficiencies, particularly in children aged 6–24 months, when nutrient requirements are at their highest.

In Tanzania, Nepal, and Bangladesh, MNPs were incorporated into school feeding programs and emergency relief initiatives, directly benefiting millions of children and pregnant women. The collaboration with WFP, UNICEF, and DSM helped elevate the role of MNPs in emergency settings and refugee camps, providing a scalable model for mass distribution, and proving that MNPs can substantially improve micronutrient status in vulnerable populations.

Key achievements include:

Reduction in Anemia Prevalence: In Nepal and Kenya, MNPs contributed to a significant reduction in anemia rates among children, as well as improvements in overall health and nutrition outcomes.
Feasibility in Emergency Settings: MNPs were distributed as part of emergency responses in Indonesia (post-tsunami) and Philippines (after Typhoons Ketsana and Parma), where more than 28 million sachets were delivered to children and mothers. These efforts demonstrated the quick roll-out and ease of distribution of MNPs in crisis situations, making them a critical intervention in disaster relief.

Sight and Life’s work with WFP in 2005 laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of MNPs. Our contributions during and after the partnership included:

Advocating for home fortification globally, positioning MNPs as a solution to hidden hunger.Providing technical guidance on formulation, packaging, and use, ensuring the quality and feasibility of MNPs.
Supporting behavior-change materials, enabling mothers and caregivers to safely use MNPs in everyday cooking.
Generating early evidence for effectiveness and acceptability, helping to demonstrate the impact of MNPs on micronutrient status.
Helping governments and agencies design delivery strategies that could work at scale, ensuring the sustainability of MNP programs.

These efforts laid the groundwork for MNPs to become one of the most widely scaled child-nutrition interventions, reaching 16 million children in 46 countries today. From Nigeria to Bangladesh, MNPs are now included in national health policies, with governments taking ownership of the programs.