Over 850 million people, or 12.6 percent of the estimated world population, are undernourished (FAO). Most -- 820 million -- are in developing countries. Maternal and child under nutrition is the underlying cause of 3.5 million deaths, 35% of the disease burden in children younger than 5 years, and 11% of total global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

SUSTAIN addresses this challenge by:

Introducing tools and technologies: SUSTAIN develops, applies and proves innovative tools and technologies to enhance the nutritive quality of food, and thus the quality of life for people in developing countries. Our initiatives focus on the most vulnerable populations, particularly infants and young children, women of child-bearing age and others with elevated or special nutritional needs.

Applying expertise: SUSTAIN confronts the global challenges of micronutrient, protein, and energy malnutrition with applied expertise in food manufacturing, quality assurance, product development and formulation, market research and distribution. With industry and other partners we develop ways to improve food formulations, manufacturing quality assurance, and micronutrient fortification.

Capturing opportunities: SUSTAIN identifies key opportunities to enhance food quality and nutrition, solicits input and consensus from leading experts on courses of action, and introduces technology-based nutrition interventions that can sustain themselves once integrated into industrial processes, food markets and international food aid programs.

Bridging sectors: The success of SUSTAIN’s initiatives shows the strength of intersector cooperation. We orchestrate collaborations of food industries, governments, the science community, and international organizations to improve nutrition for the world’s neediest people.