Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

Annapurna Iodized Salt

last updated Sep 27, 2011

Overview

Implementing organization: 
Unilever
Implementation Partner(s): 
Ministry of Health, UNICEF
Legal Status: 
Public-private partnership
Year Launched: 
2000
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%, 20-60% (lower to lower-middle)
Summary: 

Annapurna iodised salt is a partnership between Unilever, Ghana's Ministry of Health, and the United Nations Chidlrens Fund (UNICEF) to reduce the prevalence of iodine deficiency and bring major improvements in maternal and child health.

Key program components: 

Launched in 2000, Annapurna iodised salt production is now wholly outsourced to third-party suppliers, creating local jobs in manufacturing and distribution. Unilever works with these firms to boost quality and strengthen their management. It also helps local companies to streamline production and distribution, minimizing costs and ensuring Annapurna's affordability. The entire supply chain has been reconstructed: bureaucracy has been stripped out, production inefficiencies removed and intermediaries cut out. The salt is packed in 500, 250, or 100 gram sachets; the smallest of these are sold at $0.06 - within the price range of even the very poorest. Delivery mechanisms are tailored to the local context. A microcredit program has been set up in partnership with a local bank, allowing Ghanaian women stallholders to buy Annapurna salt and other products to sell.

In partnership with the Ghana Health Service and UNICEF, Unilever is also working to change mindsets and established eating habits. Roadshows create awareness of the health problems linked to iodine deficiencies. One project involves visiting 3,200 rural schools to educate children who will then teach their parents about the importance of using iodised salt.

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