New Nonprofit Edesia Created to Fight Malnutrition

Made in the U.S. from American raw materials, Edesia will provide U.S.-based humanitarian agencies a chance to use the product considered an essential medicine in eradicating malnutrition.

25 Sep 2009 --- Edesia, a new U.S. nonprofit dedicated to producing nutritional solutions to fight malnutrition has been announced as a joint initiative between Industrial Revelation and Nutriset.

Edesia will produce a highly effective food aid commodity -- a peanut based ready-to-use food (RUF) called Plumpy'nut. Made in the U.S. from American raw materials, Edesia will provide U.S.-based humanitarian agencies a chance to use the product considered an essential medicine in eradicating malnutrition.

"This new and exciting partnership provides huge opportunities to change the face of American food aid," said Navyn Salem, co-founder of Edesia, "and gives us a chance to implement a proven solution."

One billion people are currently undernourished. And though entirely preventable, malnutrition kills more than five million children a year. Simply delivering food to areas in need won't stop malnutrition. In vulnerable populations -- children under 5, pregnant mothers, and adults with HIV/AIDS -- food aid must contain the vitamins and minerals individuals need to live healthy lives especially.

"Hunger and malnutrition are the number one risks to health worldwide. By linking food aid to nutrition, we are helping people achieve their full physical and mental capacity," Salem explained.

Edesia will produce four high-quality RUFs to provide effective treatment and prevention for malnutrition: Plumpy'nut , Supplementary'Plumpy , Plumpy'doz , and Nutributter . These pastes made from peanuts, milk powder, sugar, vegetable oil and vitamins/minerals, contain all the essentials that a malnourished child needs to reverse nutrient deficiencies, gain weight, and regain healthy development. As their names suggest they are ready for immediate use and do not need to be mixed with water, or refrigerated.

In addition to production, Edesia will collaborate on nutrition research studies and the development of new commodities, and provide support to new local producers in the developing world.

Edesia LLC is a joint initiative between Industrial Revelation Inc. and Nutriset S.A.S. Industrial Revelation Inc. (est. 2007) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Providence, Rhode Island. Industrial Revelation Inc. is a prominent nutrition advocate in Tanzania and is currently establishing a Ready-to-use-Food production site in Dar es Salaam in collaboration with local partners. Nutriset S.A.S. (est. 1986) is a privately-owned company based in Malaunay, France. Nutriset is the world leader for the development, production and marketing of RUFs. Edesia benefits from the technical expertise of Nutriset and the non-profit experience of Industrial Revelation. The strengths of the two entities come together to create a powerful new endeavor that aims to be instrumental in reshaping the face of U.S. food aid.