Insta Products
Micronutrient-rich Breakfast for Millions of Kenyans
The Challenge
- In a 2006 report, the World Bank identified acute malnutrition as the most serious health problem in the world.
- In Kenya, poor maternal micronutrient and energy intake affects many women, where weight gain during pregnancy is low, and micronutrient intake among women is often inadequate.
- High rates of stunting and poor micronutrient status in children often result in high rates of diarrhea, which lead to worsening nutritional status, poor intellectual development and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of stunting in Kenya has increased to a staggering 40% a month among children between the ages of 12 and 23 months.
The Innovation
- While the effectiveness of an improved diet can be difficult to define and measure, studies have shown that people who ingest a diet rich in macro and micronutrients with adequate energy are far more likely to avoid the hidden costs of hunger: disease, early death, stunting, reduced productivity, higher health care costs, and reduced mental capacity.
- A diet that includes complete protein is especially critical in Kenya, where animal products are expensive and a rare complement to most Kenyans’ vegetarian-by-default diets.
- Insta Products Limited is a Kenya-based private company manufacturing a protein- and vitamin-rich pre-cooked porridge product, which supplies all 9 essential amino acids required by the human body.
The Impact
- With Acumen Fund’s support, Insta will market and manufacture up to 12,600 metric tonnes per year of nutritionally-enriched porridge.
- Insta will begin to serve not only the aid market of international organizations, but will also serve low-income families through affordable retail distribution. A 100g packet of Insta product will sell for less than USD 25 cents - sufficient to provide a nutritionally rich and balanced meal to a family of four.
