Wilmar named Vitafoods Asia's first Nutrition Innovation Awardee

Wilmar’s expertise is in developing functional products that incorporate omega-3 DHA and EPA into everyday foods and drinks, making it easier for consumers to boost their daily intake. This is especially needed in China where omega-3 deficiencies are high, with many people consuming as little as 7.5% of the ISSFAL recommended daily intake.

The judges praised Wilmar for its considerable education programme which promotes the benefits of omega-3 in the diet, specifically for children and the elderly. The company’s Arawana cooking oil was launched in 2009 and is used to spearhead Wilmar’s on-going healthy cooking programme, which is rapidly gaining momentum in China.

Chris Lee, portfolio director, Vitafoods Asia commented: “The quality of innovation on display at Vitafoods Asia and demonstrated by manufacturers across the region made it difficult to select a winner for the first Vitafoods Asia Nutrition Innovation Award. Wilmar has demonstrated that by proactively developing functional products that meet real consumer concerns, industry players can have a tangible impact on consumer health.”

Qiang Zhou, brand director at Wilmar International added: “We are thrilled to have won the first Vitafoods Asia Nutrition Innovation Award. We are proud of the work we have done to educate Chinese consumers about the importance of omega-3 in the diet. Chinese intake of DHA and EPA is seriously deficient and there are very few ways for Chinese people to consume DHA and EPA, so we have a responsibility to develop products that will improve consumer health in both the short and long term.”

Vitafoods Asia was held on 4-5 September 2013, AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. It was organised by Informa Exhibitions.