Danone Cambodia signs MoU with Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport to help reduce iron – deficiency anaemia and malnutrition

Danone Specialized Nutrition Cambodia (Danone Cambodia), a global leader in health-focused food and beverages company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to help reduce iron – deficiency anaemia and malnutrition in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The MOU was signed at Rosewood Phnom Penh on November 26th, 2024, in the presence of Her Excellency Kim Sethany, Permanent Secretary of State, Representative His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), and Danone Cambodia’s Country Director Maarten VAN LEEUWEN

This agreement pledges to improve the detection of iron deficiency anaemia among children. The signing of the MOU took place on World Iron Deficiency Day, underscoring the importance of this initiative.

Speaking at the MOU signing, Her Excellency Kim Sethany said:

“The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) is committed to building a healthy future for Cambodian children. Our partnership with Danone Cambodia reflects our shared vision of raising awareness about malnutrition and iron deficiency, contributing to reducing the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency among children under 5 years old, ensuring they have the growth and opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.”

At the signing, Maarten VAN LEEUWEN said:

“Danone Cambodia has proudly supported efforts to reduce malnutrition and iron–deficiency anaemia for many years. While our journey has seen significant progress over the past decade, our mission is far from complete. Together, we will continue to strive for a healthier future for all Cambodians.”

He added:

“The MOU marks a significant step forward in our commitment to the health and well-being of Cambodian children. As a B Corp company, we are dedicated to contributing positively to society and the environment and, in this case, particularly to health. By improving screening practices and increasing awareness about the importance of nutrition, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of young children across the country.”

Under the MOU, Danone Cambodia will collaborate with the MoEYS to improve screening practices for children under 5 years old, with the goal of introducing mandatory screening by 2027. The MOU also pledges to increase awareness of the role of food in children’s health by introducing training programs for teachers and parents at kindergartens across the country.

Understanding the current health status of children in Cambodia reveals that anaemia is a significant public health issue, particularly affecting women and children. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia and can be addressed through dietary improvements. By improving diagnostic practices with proactive IDA screening and timely treatment, it is possible to prevent long-term health consequences. Most importantly, providing the proper nutritional support during this critical period can help young children reach their full potential.

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About Danone (World food company – Danone)

Danone is a leading global food and beverage company operating in three health-focused, fast-growing and on-trend categories: Essential Diary & Plant-Based products, Waters and Specialized Nutrition. With a long-standing mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible, Danone aims to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices while committing to achieving measurable nutritional, social and environmental impact. Danone has defined its Renew strategy as restoring growth, competitiveness, and value creation in the long term. With over 96,000 employees and products sold in over 120 markets, Danone generated €27.6 billion in sales in 2023. Danone’s portfolio includes leading international brands (Actimel, Activia, Alpro, Aptamil, Danette, Danio, Danonio, Evian, Nutricia, Nutrilon, and Volvic, among others) as well as strong local and regional brands (including Aqua, Blédina, Bonafont, Cow & Gate, Mizone, Oikos and Silk). Listed on Euronext Paris and present on the OTCQX platform via an ADR (American Depositary Receipt) program, Danone is a component stock of leading sustainability indexes, including the ones managed by Moody’s and Sustainalytics, as well as the MSCI ESG Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and the Access to Nutrition Index. Danone’s ambition is to be B-Corp certified at the global level in 2025.

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