Mars joins Tata to arrest Indian food and malnutrition issues
The American company plans to work with the Indian coalition of philanthropic trusts to develop methods and tools to increase crop productivity, farm income and sustainability of select agriculture commodities.
The two organisations will also collaborate on the availability of safe, affordable and sustainable raw materials from India.
The global food and confectionery brand’s Mars Food segment also intends to conduct joint research with the Tata Trusts on nutritional guidelines that can help address anaemia and other forms of malnutrition.
“We are particularly inspired by Mars Food’s commitment to addressing malnutrition in India: a challenge of growing concern in this country, particularly among children,” said Ratan Tata, the trusts’ chairman.
Mars and the Tata Trusts also plan to collaborate on reducing aflatoxin contamination in India’s supply chain.
Aflatoxin, a naturally occurring, poisonous chemical produced by certain moulds, is a critical food safety issue in India. Mars has unique expertise in addressing this form of contamination and can draw on its global food safety centre in China to conduct future research in this area.
“Tata Trusts’ strong commitment to improving the quality of life in India, and the depth and breadth of their expertise, makes them a natural partner for Mars,” said Fiona Dawson, president of Mars Food.
