This year, Ajinomoto participated in the 2019 Asian Congress of Nutrition (ACN) that held on August 4-7, 2019 at Nusa Dua Bali International Convention Center (BICC). Taking the theme of "Nutrition and Food Innovation for Sustained Well-being", ACN 2019 is a place to exchange information and innovations in the fields of nutrition, food, health, from nutrition experts, practitioners, and companies to realize SDG's goals, namely zero hunger, good health and wellness.

During the ACN, Ajinomoto provided an understanding at the exhibition booth regarding products manufactured in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries. In addition, organizing the third day of ACN 2019 or Tuesday (6/8/2019), Ajinomoto also invited the University of Washington University of Washington Director of Public Health Nutrition, Adam Drewnowski PhD and Fraser Taylor PhD as Food Policy, The George Institute for Global Health from Sydney, Australia, in the scientific symposium.

Face nutritional challenges

According to PT Ajinomoto Indonesia Director Tri Mulyo, Ajinomoto's participation is as a partner of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS) through sponsors, activities and products in order to face challenges in the field of nutrition, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

In addition, communicating with 1,500 experts in the field of nutrition and food (nutrition researchers, food researchers, registered dietaries / RD, and medical doctors) through dialogue based on scientific facts to share the unique products and activities in the field of health and well-being related to protein and umami seasoning. The emphasis and what needs to be said is that many consumers or the public do not understand the benefits of the umami seasoning from Ajinomoto itself.

"Now, there are still many consumers or people who do not understand the benefits of MSG. It is hoped that after this, the great benefits of MSG itself can be understood," Mr. Tri Mulyo said.

Ajinomoto continues to develop and strengthen its position in the country's food sector by launching several new brands until 2019. Different from other industries that tend to market existing products when they reach maturity, Ajinomoto continues to innovate to meet consumer tastes in the country, which more diverse.

Not only in the product line, to support government’s programs in the employment sector, Ajinomoto also contributed by increasing labor absorption in its production facilities.

In March 2019, PT Ajinomoto Indonesia and its 4 group companies employed around 3,700 people. The uptake of work was also accompanied by a number of education and training programs that in line with the company's message "Eat Well, Live Well". For the internal environment, Ajinomoto has a workplace nutrition activity, which provides lunch with balanced nutrition and nutrition education for employees, both in head offices, branch offices and factories.

As for the wider external community, Ajinomoto has launched Dapur Umami, the School Lunch Program (SLP) in collaboration with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), as well as nutrition support and nutrition education for national swimming athlete I Gede Siman Sudartawa in the Winning Meal Project program.

Healthy lifestyle Education

Meanwhile, PR Department Manager of Ajinomoto Indonesia, Indra Nurcahyo revealed, that Ajinomoto conducted SLP as a manifestation of its vision to become Dantotsu number one, food company in Indonesia. One of the contributions is the healthy lifestyle education program for school students by providing balanced nutrition menus and nutritional knowledge.

Through SLP, Ajinomoto together with IPB conducted research aimed at improving the nutritional and health status of school children.

"From providing lunch with balanced nutrition, a significant result was increase in nutritional intake consisting of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, and vitamin C intake which further led to a change in anemia status (an increase in students with normal Hb)," Mr. Indra said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rimbawan from the Department of Community Nutrition Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University when met at the 2019 ACN activity, Wednesday (7/8/2019) explained further. "We are improving the quality of schools from food providers and Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS) facilities. We run this program for one year at the Bogor Islamic Boarding School, by providing a better lunch. "We have improved the children who have been eating less fruits and vegetables, those who have eaten less regularly, we have fixed," he said.

"For 10 days, we provide a different lunch menu. On the 11th day, the food menu given to children is the same as the first day's menu and so on. Ajinomoto products are also added to the vegetables we prepare for children. This is to add flavor,” Dr. Rimbawan continue.

By providing an understanding of good health and behavior, eating behavior of school children will be better so that it gives an influence on the reduced level of children's pain.

"The results of our research, from the previous many children who have anemia, the number has decreased," said Dr. Forestry. The results of the School Lunch Program research were also published by Ajinomoto at the Ajinomoto booth.

Ajinomoto itself is not a new name in the food and beverage industry. The company behind the AJI-NO-MOTO® brand started its business in the country in 1969 and began producing AJI-NO-MOTO® in 1970 at the Mojokerto factory.

The company, which have won a number of awards in the field of food, nutrition, and utilization of its waste products, is also known for its quality and product guarantees that meet Halal certification from the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) as evidenced by the granting of the Halal Assurance System (SJH) to Ajinomoto.

Link: https://adv.kompas.id/baca/partisipasi-ajinomoto-hadapi-tantangan-gizi-pada-acn-2019/