How PepsiCo Tackles Childhood Malnutrition & Food Security – Food Digital

Report on PepsiCo’s Nutritional Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Quaker Bowl of Growth Programme, India: Advancing SDG 2 and SDG 3

• Objective: To combat malnutrition in children aged three to five, directly addressing Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), specifically Target 2.2, which aims to end all forms of malnutrition.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The programme is a collaboration between PepsiCo’s Quaker brand, the PepsiCo Foundation, and the MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child.
• Intervention: A key component is the provision of ‘panjiri’, a nutritional supplement developed by PepsiCo. It is made from Quaker Multigrain and millet and is fortified with 18 essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth.
• Contribution to Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): The initiative includes community workshops to educate families on nutrition, hygiene, and sustainable health practices, promoting long-term well-being.

Pilot Phase Outcomes

1. The pilot phase successfully reached 1,000 children.
2. Data indicated that 89% of the children demonstrated improvement or maintained stable growth.
3. A reported 95% of caregivers observed an increase in their children’s appetites.

Quaker Qrece Project, Guatemala: A Multi-faceted Approach to SDGs 2, 3, and 6

• Objective: To address chronic childhood malnutrition, which affects nearly half of all children under five in Guatemala. This initiative is a critical intervention for achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The project was launched in 2020 as a partnership between Quaker, CARE Guatemala, and the PepsiCo Foundation.
• Intervention: The programme provides a specialized food for children between two and five years old. The food is composed of oats, milk, eggs, and peanuts and contains 17 essential vitamins and minerals.
• Contribution to Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Participating families receive access to educational workshops focusing on hygiene, safe water, and waste management, contributing directly to multiple SDG targets.

Programme Outcomes

1. More than 3,000 children across 86 communities have participated in the programme.
2. A significant 90% of participants have shown improved nutritional status.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The core focus of the article is on combating malnutrition and hunger in children in India and Guatemala through the provision of fortified foods.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By improving nutrition in children aged under five, the programs aim to ensure healthy growth and reduce the risks associated with malnutrition, contributing directly to child health and well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.2: “By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.”
  
  Explanation: The article explicitly discusses programs in India and Guatemala targeting malnutrition in children under five. The “Quaker Bowl of Growth” programme focuses on children aged three to five, and the “Quaker Qrece” project in Guatemala, where “nearly half of all children under the age of five experience chronic childhood malnutrition,” targets children between two and five. Both initiatives aim to end malnutrition in this specific demographic.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…”
  
  Explanation: Malnutrition is a leading cause of preventable deaths in children under five. By providing fortified foods and essential nutrients, the programs described in the article directly contribute to improving child health and survival rates, which is the central aim of this target. The focus on “healthy growth” and becoming “stronger” directly supports the reduction of under-5 mortality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG Target 2.2 (End all forms of malnutrition)

• Percentage of children with improved growth: The article states that in the Indian pilot program, “89% of the children demonstrated improvement or stable growth.” This is a direct indicator of progress in reducing malnutrition.
• Percentage of children with improved nutrition: For the Guatemala program, the article reports that “90% showing improved nutrition.” This serves as a direct measure of the program’s impact on child nutrition status.
• Prevalence of chronic malnutrition: The article provides a baseline indicator for Guatemala by stating that “nearly half of all children under the age of five experience chronic childhood malnutrition.” The success of the program can be measured against this baseline.
• Reported increase in appetite: The article mentions that “95% of caregivers reported an increase in their children’s appetites” in the Indian program. This serves as a proxy indicator for improved health and nutritional intake.

Indicators for SDG Target 3.2 (End preventable deaths of children under 5)

• Provision of essential vitamins and minerals: The article specifies that the supplement in India is “fortified with 18 essential vitamins and minerals,” and the food in Guatemala “contains 17 essential vitamins and minerals.” The delivery of these micronutrients is an indicator of actions taken to improve child health and prevent illness and death associated with deficiencies.
• Qualitative changes in child well-being: The quote from the CARE Guatemala Programme Manager, who observes a “change in the children to become stronger more curious and happier,” serves as a qualitative indicator of improved overall health and well-being, which is linked to a reduced risk of mortality.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: fooddigital.com