Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, officially joined the Leadership Council of the New York Academy of Sciences’ Global Nutrition Science Research Initiative during the Academy’s gala dinner. DSM is the only food ingredient company to be among the more than 20 organisations coming from government, academia, non-profit and private sectors that comprise the Council.

This landmark move will bring together the best scientific research and development competences available on nutrition to address global hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency) in rich and poor countries alike. In collaboration with the World Health Organization this initiative will shape the global nutrition science research agenda and facilitate a multi-sectorial action plan. The objective is for this body of research to be used to help donor countries, development organisations, and governments design and implement more effective nutrition programmes.

Through its participation on the Council, DSM continues to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the problem of hidden hunger through its various partnerships. Since 2007, DSM has maintained a strategic partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme and is one of the founding members of the Amsterdam Initiative Against Malnutrition (AIM), amongst others. DSM’s efforts have recently been recognised by the international community, which conferred on DSM the United Nations Development Programme World Business and Development Award and awarded DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma with the United Nations Association of New York Humanitarian of the Year Award.

“I am excited and honored to be part of such an ambitious and one-of-a-kind initiative and having the opportunity to work with such a prestigious group of experts,” commented Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice President Nutrition Science & Advocacy, DSM Nutritional Products. “The design and implementation of successful nutrition programs requires serious research and I hope that our work can help scientists, governments and organizations around the world tackle one of the most serious global health problems, which, until recently has been underappreciated and often misunderstood.”

For DSM, quality is a way of life. This is the core of Quality for Life™¹ seal, the company’s commitment to quality, reliability, traceability and sustainability.

¹ Quality for Life is a trademark of Royal DSM N. V. DSM Press Release

DSM and ‘hidden hunger’- Highlights 2010

Note to the editor
Hidden hunger is defined as micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiency in a person’s diet. It is not malnutrition as classically presented as the hungry or starving individual, but malnutrition as it should properly be defined: poor overall quality of nutrition. It means that the 2 billion who suffer from hidden hunger, may eat enough calories to live, but have a basic diet that fails to provide sufficient levels of crucial vitamins and minerals that allows them to be mentally and
physically healthy.
‘Hidden hunger’ is a global issue of extreme and rising importance that is often ignored and underappreciated despite its devastating consequences for individuals, communities and countries’ economies.
Hidden hunger is a problem that impacts both the developing and the developed world. The most obvious victims are in developing countries where the diet does not provide them with the variety of foods that ensure that they get the minerals and vitamins that they need – usually because they cannot afford or cannot access a wide range of nutritious foods such as meat, eggs and fish as well as fruits and vegetables.

ENDS

About DSM Nutritional Products
DSM Nutritional Products is the world's leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids and other fine chemicals to the feed, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. The business has sales of over EUR 2 billion and a long tradition as a pioneer in the discovery of new products, new formulations and attractive applications for all industry segments. More information at www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com and www.qualityforlife.com

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance. Its end markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM manages its business with a focus on the triple bottom line of economic performance, environmental quality and social responsibility, which it pursues simultaneously and in parallel. DSM has annual net sales of about € 8 billion and employs some 22,700 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com

For more information:
DSM Nutritional Products
Charlotte Frederiksen
Tel: +41 (0)61 815 83 54
Fax: +41 (0)61 815 82 90
E-mail: charlotte.frederiksen@dsm.com