Tokyo, August 19, 2014 - Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.) has agreed on the specific details of implementation of the WFP- Ajinomoto collaborative project to improve mother and child nutrition in Ghana. Since holding a signing ceremony for the “Letter of Cooperation” for nutrition improvement in Ghana on March 27, 2014 in Japan (see photo at right), the parties have been discussing the content of the project and have now decided on the details of implementation.

Ajinomoto Co. and WFP aim to expedite a solution to the problem of malnutrition in Ghana by contributing each parties’ experience and knowhow in dealing with nutritional issues.

This initiative has been actualized as a follow up of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), held in June 2013. At the TICAD V, WFP and the Government of Japan agreed to expand their partnership to scale up joint nutrition efforts in Africa, with use of Japan private sector’s expertise and best practices as much as possible. WFP and Ajinomoto Co. will cooperate in working for nutrition improvement in Ghana.

The project will consist of the three components summarized below. In particular, Ajinomoto Co. will help achieve increased nutrient intake through locally available low cost foods acceptable for the local cultural context, using its expertise in amino acid nutrition and food science, which are its strengths.

Ajinomoto Co.’s contribution will include chemically analyzing local food ingredients to update a database of their nutritional value. They will also support the establishment of guidelines for preparing meals that satisfy children’s nutritional requirements while controlling costs by using local ingredients.

Ajinomoto Co. will support the development of social marketing to increase access to nutrient-dense food for children 6-23 months and pregnant and lactating women, also through the use of home fortification and nutritional supplements.

Ajinomoto Co. will support the improvement of the quality and balance of proteins and amino acids for the creation of low-cost school meal menus that satisfy the nutritional requirements of schoolchildren. In addition, Ajinomoto Co. may help making school meals not only more nutritious but also more delicious by studying the preference of local children in tastes and flavors.

Despite ongoing rapid economic growth in Ghana in recent years, there are regional differences in poverty within the country. In the northern regions, where the prevalence of poverty and malnutrition is particularly marked, comprehensive food assistance and nutritional improvement measures are needed.

Ajinomoto Co. contributes its expertise in food science and amino acid nutrition to actively participate in international nutritional improvement initiatives such as Business Call to Action, which is hosted at the United Nations Development Programme. (see a photo of a session of the child welfare clinic in the Northern Region at right.)

Ajinomoto’s work with WFP will create an example of success in improving nutrition through a form of cooperation between a United Nations organization and a private company. In this way, the company will expand its initiatives to realize its slogan, “Eat Well, Live Well,” globally.

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. On average, WFP reaches more than 90 million people with food assistance in 80 countries each year. WFP has been present in Ghana since 1963, prioritizing interventions targeting children, pregnant and lactating women.

Ajinomoto Begins Participation in “Business Call to Action”

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Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JYP 991.3 billion (USD 11.0 billion) in fiscal 2013. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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