Undernutrition is a widespread problem that needs to be addressed with sustainable solutions. Daily diets require small amounts of the micronutrients iodine and iron to boost mental and physical development. Recognizing salt as a staple in diets, Venkatesh Mannar, overcame the technical and chemical challenges and pioneered a viable solution: double fortified salt (DFS). Protecting people from iodine deficiency disorders and anaemia, the use of DFS has been implemented as a public health prevention strategy worldwide. In this audio interview, Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman talks with Mannar, 2010 Tech Award winner in Health, as he discusses the large-scale social impact double fortified salt has brought to improving health and nutrition.
M. G. Venkatesh Mannar is a leader in global health with 35 years experience in pioneering effective international nutrition and development initiatives focused on the world´s most vulnerable citizens.
As President of the Ottawa-based Micronutrient Initiative (MI), he oversees the organization's mission to develop, implement and monitor cost-effective and sustainable solutions for micronutrient deficiencies, also known as hidden hunger. Under his leadership, MI has grown to play a major role in the development and expansion of supplementation and food fortification and programs to address hidden hunger in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Every year Mannar´s work through MI directly benefits 500 million adults and children in more than 75 countries.
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