By Chioma Obinna

On this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited, makers of Umami food seasoning has hosted a cooking exercise for Lagos mothers.

The cooking exercise which centred on salt reduction when using ajinomoto was aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding in the statel for child survival and development.

Celebrated in over 120 countries by the World Health Organisation and partners, World Breastfeeding Week is held annually from the 1st to the 7th of August.

The aim, according to WHO, is to encourage breastfeeding and consequently improve the health of babies around the world.

The United Nations health agency says the week provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a child’s life.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

Speaking at the event held at the St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, for nursing mothers from communities in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos, the Corporate Communications Manager of Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited, Mrs Francisca Ikediashi, said the company has an interest in the nutrition of mothers and children.
Ikediashi said the cooking exercise aimed to highlight the importance of breast milk and the need to discourage poor feeding practices which puts babies at risk of malnutrition and other illnesses such as diarrhea.

She noted that promoting exclusive breastfeeding and encouraging mothers to embrace the practice through breastfeeding education and awareness, organising community outreach programs and workshops to educate mothers and families about the importance of breastfeeding would scale up the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the State.

Ikediashi stated that breastfeeding specifically contributes to the health and well-being of mother and child, helps in child spacing, and reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
She emphasised that Ajinomoto as a wellness company and part of AJI-NO-MOTO’s long-term strategy, has over the years, developed “AminoScience” and Enzyme technologies to create a unique flavour for food products without compromising on quality or safety standards set by regulatory bodies worldwide.

She assured the nursing mothers of the safety of Ajinomoto which promotes low salt intake, healthy living, and enhances the flavor of foods.
According to her, various scientific findings have proven over and again that Ajinomoto MSG is safe for consumption.

Ikediashi said, “Umami is the taste of the amino acid glutamate – one of the most prevalent amino acids in nature and naturally present in foods like tomatoes, seafood, vegetables, cheese, and milk.

“We are actively developing products and seasonings that utilize our salt-reduction technologies and the safety of Ajinomoto has long been scientifically proven and its safety approved by authorized agencies of the United Nations.”

Advising the mother to reduce their salt intake, the manager noted, “Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. 30 to 40 % salt reduction can be achieved by adding MSG without changing the taste of the food.

“It is a healthy product that has been consumed by Billions of people across the Globe and there is no scientific proof yet to directly associate MSG with any health issues as suggested.”

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, District VI, Dr Abimbola Mabogunje, reiterated the importance of breastfeeding to child growth and development.

Mabogunje noted that exclusively breastfeeding a child for the first six months after birth helps to reduce morbidity, strengthens the immune system, and protects the baby against serious diseases such as respiratory infections, low growth, diarrhea, and pneumonia, among others.

“Exclusive breastfeeding for mothers is highly beneficial, and it helps nursing mothers to burn extra calories, lowers their risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as Osteoporosis, a medical condition in which the bones become fragile from loss of tissue”, she said.

The PS commended Ajinomoto for supporting the Lagos State Government in its exclusive breastfeeding awareness drive.

Vice Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Yomi Mayungbe commended the company for prioritizing the nutrition and wellness of women and children and for identifying with his community.

The nursing mothers took turns to testify to how exclusive breastfeeding has transformed their lives and that of their children.
A mother of a five-month-old baby boy, Mrs Fairah Abati, said, “I am doing exclusive breastfeeding for him. He hardly falls sick.”

Another mother, Mrs Margret Oguche, said joyfully, “Look at my baby. He is so healthy. I’m so happy I did exclusive breastfeeding for six months.”

They commended Ajinomoto for promoting exclusive breastfeeding and for identifying with them and their babies.