dsm-firmenich partners with MedAccess to secure vitamin A pricing for edible oil fortification in low to middle income countries

dsm-firmenich, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty announced its partnership with MedAccess, a UK-based social enterprise committed to improving health, to provide stable pricing and sustainable supply of vitamin A, a key micronutrient used for fortification of edible oil. 

Under the first of its kind partnership, dsm-firmenich will institute ceiling prices for vitamin A and D3 blends when sold to edible oil millers for fortification in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia and Africa. To enable dsm-firmenich to offer these ceiling prices, MedAccess will provide a volume guarantee, covering any shortfall in agreed sales.

dsm-firmenich’s commitment not to exceed the price of vitamin A will enable edible oil millers in  LMICs to place orders and not run the risk of severe price fluctuations. This will allow millers to fortify continuously, improving public health outcomes and supporting compliance with fortification mandates in several countries – and thereby support dsm-firmenich’s ongoing Nutrition Improvement efforts to combat malnutrition.

Fortification involves adding safe levels of micronutrients to commonly consumed foods, such as edible oil, to increase their nutrient content. It is a vital public health initiative to combat vitamin A deficiency, which disproportionately impacts women of reproductive age and children. This deficiency can lead to blindness, impaired growth, and increased vulnerability to infections. 

Vitamin A food fortification is mandatory in many countries. However, edible oil millers report it is challenging to fortify their products when prices fluctuate considerably or supplies become scarce, both of which are common due to market disruptions. This partnership attempts to stabilize vitamin A prices where fortified food is a significant contributor to ensuring vulnerable people benefit from vitamin A through consistent and affordable access.

Francois Scheffler, Global Marketing and Business Development EVP for dsm-firmenich’s Health, Nutrition & Care business commented, “Nutrition is the basic cornerstone of health. That’s why we see a world with a nutrition system transformed by public-private collaboration focused on improving the quality of life of those most in need” adding, “This groundbreaking partnership with MedAccess, combined with our local footprint and strong technical expertise on food fortification, will help dsm-firmenich deliver our commitment to contribute to bridging the micronutrient gap of a billion people by 2030. It’s our hope that this partnership will inspire others to make the world’s (mal)nutrition their own business with innovative, cost effective and accessible solutions.”

About dsm-firmenich

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.