Heinz assisting in the management of iron deficiency in indigenous children

Heinz is supplying a powdered iron and vitamin and mineral supplement called Sprinkles for use in a 3 year trial program in the Northern Territory, to assist in the management of dietary iron deficiency in indigenous children.

In the Northern Territory, iron deficiency affects between 27-50% of children aged between 6 months to 5 years.  Iron deficiency adversely affects brain growth, including intellectual, motor and behavioural development.
Research has shown Sprinkles to be an effective strategy to assist in the management of iron and vitamin and mineral deficiencies and has the support of the World Health Organisation.
Developed in 1996 by Canadian researcher Dr Stanley Zlotkin with the support of the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation, Sprinkles is being used to assist in combating global iron deficiency in children, with active programs in more than 15 countries across Africa and Asia.
The Fred Hollows Foundation <<add link to FHF website>>, together with the Northern Territory Department of Health and Families are running the trial for children aged 6-24 months across 6 indigenous communities.  Heinz is supplying Sprinkles on a philanthropic basis for the trial program.
If successful in the management of iron deficiency, Sprinkles will be rolled out to more communities in the Northern Territory and other states.
For more information about this project, visit the Heinzsight blog  , or the Fred Hollows Foundation website .  For more information about the Heinz Company Foundation and the Micronutrient Campaign, click here .