Blue Band Launches New Spread with Omega 3 and Omega 6

Unilever East Africa, has unveiled the new Blue Band spread with Omega 3 and Omega 6 to improve nutrition in Kenya. According to the Ministry of Health, nutrition related illnesses affects more than 25 per cent of children below the age of 5 years in Kenya.

On top of the 7 Vitamins currently included in Blue Band, we have decided to increase the goodness of Blue Band by including a healthier type of fat, extracted from our own locally grown Kenyan Rape Seed.  The healthy fat components sourced from Kenyan Rape seed includes Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats.  These are of particular benefit to children by contributing to healthy growth and development of the body.

Speaking during the launch, Unilever CEO for East Africa, Marc Engel highlighted the company’s commitment to boosting nutrition by helping more than 1 billion people worldwide take action to improve their health and well-being by the year 2020.

“Blue Band, which has been loved for its great taste since the 1950’s, is now the only spread in East Africa with Omega 3 and 6 which are important for the growth and development of children. With these essential nutrients, also known as good fats, Blue Band will now ensure a healthy, nutritious and tasty breakfast when used with bread or uji,” Added Engel. “We are keeping our commitment to the Kenyan people by continuing to deliver better products, for healthier diets and helping grow more great kids.”

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on dietary intake of fats stipulate that for children above 2 years, 25-35% of daily kilocalories should come from good fats.

On her part, Dorothy Murugu, Unilever Nutrition Manager for East Africa said; “In a balanced diet, a child should get up to 10% of daily energy from essential fats i.e. Omega 3 & 6. This is why Blue band has now added the essential fats in its new innovation to ensure that children and families consistently enjoy nutrient rich meals.”

“Food and health experts  call Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids “essential fats” as the human body needs them for many functions, from building healthy cells to maintaining brain and nerve function. As the body cannot produce the essential fats, we must get them from foods we eat. By adding Omega 3 and 6 to Blue Band we have ensured that everyone, especially children, are getting the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development” echoed Ms. Murugu.