The Ajinomoto Group’s Commitment to Nutrition
Table of Contents
- Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 Summary of Results
- Outcomes of Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 and the Ajinomoto Group’s Commitment
- Ajinomoto Group's "Commitment to Nutrition"
- Side Event Hosted by the Ajinomoto Group and DSM: School Lunch and the Future of Children
- Achievements of the Ajinomoto Group with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 Summary of Results
The Tokyo Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit 2021 is a meeting to promote international efforts to improve nutrition. It is customary for the host country of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to host the Summit, which began in 2013 at the initiative of the UK government. Following the UK (London) and Brazil (Rio), the third Nutrition for Growth Summit was held in Tokyo on December 7-8, 2021, to discuss five themes and compile an outcome document (compact).
The Summit was hosted by the Japanese government and it was conducted in a hybrid format, including in-person participation for those in Japan and online participation from overseas participants. During the High Level Session on the first day, Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio expressed the country’s commitment to contribute to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing more than 300 billion yen (2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in nutrition-related assistance over the next three years.
The Tokyo Nutrition Declaration (Tokyo’s summary on Nutrition for Growth) was issued to summarize the outcomes of the presentations and discussions during the two-day Summit.
The Ajinomoto Group’s Actions for the Future
Takaaki Nishii
The Ajinomoto Group’s “Commitment to Nutrition” is a medium- to long-term goal for comprehensive business activities aimed at improving nutrition. We believe communicating our activities and achievements to the public will help build momentum for nutrition improvement activities in society. Solving the diverse nutritional issues that exist around the world is not something that can be done by one company alone. People from all over the world will need to cooperate to achieve this goal. The Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 was a great opportunity for various stakeholders to build partnerships, and we hope to continue to play an important role in industry-government-academia-community collaboration, as well as to show leadership in solving social issues.
Outcomes of Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 and the Ajinomoto Group’s Commitment
Tokyo Nutrition Declaration
As a result of the discussions at the Summit, the “Tokyo Nutrition Declaration” was issued as a consensus document outlining the future direction the international community should take to improve nutrition, with endorsements from 212 stakeholders, including 64 governments, 11 international organizations, 60 private companies, and 58 civil society organizations.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida opened the summit ©Prime Minister's Office of Japan
Nutrition Commitment from the Government of Japan
The Japanese government stated it will further strengthen Japan’s nutrition-related policies. It also announced more than 300 billion yen (approximately 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in assistance through bilateral and multilateral frameworks over the next three years.
Issuing Commitments to Nutrition
At the Tokyo Nutrition Summit, 180 stakeholders from 66 countries and 20 companies submitted 394 commitments (statements of policy and financial declaration) totaling more than 27 billion U.S. dollars in nutrition-related funding. This included 22 Japanese companies and organizations that made commitments. At the London Summit (2013), 90 stakeholders from 39 countries, including 22 companies, made commitments; a total of 4.15 billion U.S. dollars in new nutrition-related funding was pledged.
Discussion on "Food: Promoting healthy diets and building sustainable food systems"
Mr. Nishii, CEO of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (title at the time), participated in the opening ceremony on December 7. In addition, during the High Level Session, he presented the Ajinomoto Group’s “Commitment to Nutrition” as the only representative of a global food company.
Ajinomoto Group's "Commitment to Nutrition"
By 2030, we will help extend the healthy life expectancy of one billion people by increasing the current reach to 700 million consumers and providing products and information that support consumers in enjoying nutritious and delicious foods with Nutrition Without Compromise as basic policy on our approach to nutrition.
Commitment 1
Support the practice of “delicious salt reduction” using umami
We will leverage our current reach to 700 million consumers to raise general awareness of salt reduction using umami, and support more people to achieve salt reduction without compromising taste.
Commitment 2
Provide nutritious products to contribute to people’s wellness
By fiscal 2030, 60% of our products will have improved nutritional value while maintaining good taste. We will use the Ajinomoto Group Nutrient Profiling System (ANPS) to guide product development and reformulation.
Among the nutritious products, we will provide products that promote “delicious salt reduction” and “protein intake optimization” to 400 million people a year by fiscal 2030.
By utilizing the physiological and nutritional functions of amino acids, by fiscal 2030, we will double the availability of such products that contribute to health, compared to fiscal 2020.
Commitment 3
Support consciousness/behavior change of consumers by providing information that supports health and nutrition improvement
We will provide consumers with information to help them improve their health and nutrition, as well as easy recipes and menus both on product packaging and our website that support delicious and well-balanced meals and healthy lifestyles.
Commitment 4
Improve nutrition literacy of Group employees
We will provide consumers with information to help them improve their health and nutrition, as well as easy recipes and menus both on product packaging and our website that support delicious and well-balanced meals and healthy lifestyles.
By fiscal 2025, we will provide nutrition education to sum total of 100,000 employees.
Side Event Hosted by the Ajinomoto Group and DSM: School Lunch and the Future of Children
The Ajinomoto Group and DSM co-hosted a side event, "School Lunch and the Future of Children: Creating Sustainable and Healthy Eating Habits through Public-Private Partnership"
Aiming to be a company that solves food and health issues, the Ajinomoto Group and DSM jointly held a forum to improve school lunch programs in developing countries. The importance of improving children’s nutrition, the role of school meals, and the ideal direction for future efforts were discussed.
Ajinomoto Group Initiatives to Improve Nutrition Worldwide
The Ajinomoto Group actively collaborates with academia to solve diverse nutritional challenges around the world, and by participating in many international academic conferences on nutrition, we conduct a wide range of discussions and introduce initiatives to improve nutrition.
Information on Nutrition at Ajinomoto Group Nutrition・Health
Information about Health and Nutrition at the Ajinomoto Group including “Nutrition Without Compromise,” our approach to nutrition.
Nutrition Policy
Basic Principles for Nutrition Improvement Initiatives - The Ajinomoto Group’s first basic principle is to improve nutrition.
Group Shared Policy on Nutrition - This policy is intended as a guideline to achieve a “healthy mind and body.”
Ajinomoto Group Nutrition Strategy Guideline - These guidelines are based on the “Group Policy on Nutrition.”
ESG & Sustainability
Videos
The Ajinomoto Foundation's Nutrition Initiatives
In 2017, the Ajinomoto Group established the Ajinomoto Foundation.
The purpose of the Foundation is to contribute to solving important social issues in Japan and around the world through projects related to improving nutrition through food, along with the support and cooperation of the society. We continue to provide support to the Foundation.
Achievements of the Ajinomoto Group with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Specific Action Plan for Food Stakeholders in Japan to Implement the "Tokyo Compact on Global Nutrition for Growth"
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries convened stakeholders at a side event with the goal to lead to sustainable development of Japan’s agriculture, food industry, and other sectors. The Ajinomoto Group representatives participated in two panel discussions during the event. As an outcome of the event, a “Specific Action Plan for Food Stakeholders in Japan” was presented.
Our company agreed with the main idea and registered the action plan based on our “Commitment to Nutrition”.
Panel: "A Framework for Addressing and Supporting the Double Burden of Malnutrition - Roundtable Discussion with the Global Community" (Session 3)
Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Executive Officer Chika Morishima participated as a panelist. In addition to introducing the outcomes of “extending healthy life expectancy for 1 billion people” and “reducing our environmental impact by 50%”, which we aim to achieve as a company that solves food and health issues, she also introduced the “Commitment to Nutrition” and our specific activities based on the philosophy of “Nutrition Without Compromise.”