Maltina, a malt drink from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has received an endorsement from the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN).

The Non-governmental Association said that it was giving the malt drink a stamp of quality because the product quality has been consistent for 39 years and the product is rich in nutrients, specifically calcium and vitamin A.

Speaking during NSN’s 45th Annual General Conference held in Lagos recently, the Vice President of the society, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the society, said the “Nigerian Breweries approached us because they were confident of the quality of the product they offer. And then we subjected them to rigorous examinations and laboratory analysis to ascertain the product claims. At the end of the process, we were convinced that what Maltina claims are the same with our results.

“As chairman of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, I can say boldly that aside its numerous nutritional benefits, Maltina is rich in calcium and vitamin A. These are key strong points of the product.”

Dr, Brai said that the society was proud to be associated with Maltina because of its richness and vitality for healthy living.

Receiving the endorsement certificate on behalf of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Mr. Adewole Adedeji, said the endorsement means a lot to the brand because it’s an attestation to the claim of complete richness. He added that the endorsement was a further validation that the product claims are based on verifiable proofs and testament to the highly beneficial constituents of the Maltina brand which is also the only malt drink in Nigeria that is calcium-enriched, a key ingredient needed for the development of healthy bones and teeth, normal blood clotting, and peak performance of the nervous system.

(L-R) Member, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) Professor Lilian Salami, President, Dr. Ngozi Nnam and the Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Mr. Adewole Adedeji at the Nutrition Society of Nigeria Presentation of Endorsement Certificate to Maltina during the opening session of the 45th annual general meeting and scientific conference 2015

Adedeji said: “Anybody can claim to be anything, but when respected bodies like the Nutrition Society of Nigeria go out of their way to formally endorse a brand, then it means your claims are valid and immensely beneficial to consumers. That way, value propositions are based on actual product truths.”

Lending support to Dr. Brai’s earlier comments, Mr. Adedeji noted that the endorsement did not come on a platter of gold, adding that the drink was put through a series of laboratory tests, physical inspection of the brewery to ascertain the hygiene conditions of the brewing process to ensure that global best practices were being adhered to.

With that said, Maltina, which is the first locally produced malt drink in Nigeria is now the only malt drink endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

Prior to the presentation of the certificate, keynote speaker at the conference and Chief Nutritionist of UNICEF, Arjan de Wagt, who spoke on “Nutrition Outlook – Beyond 2015 MDG’s” talked extensively on the state of nutrition in Nigeria.

Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) released recently, he said that over 50 percent of Nigerian children were malnourished, a situation that would have grave consequences for the country.

However, Maltina is rising to the occasion with fortification of the drink with essential nutrients. For instance, Vitamin A is essential for normal growth, vision, immune responses and cell differentiation. Maltina has Vitamin A levels in the range of 40.99 – 49.51 mg/I/. Studies have shown that over 34.69% of childhood blindness in Nigeria is caused by corneal opacity, which is as a result of vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin C another nutrient found in Maltina is a water soluble antioxidant that boosts the immune system and helps prevent cancer and heart disease when the body lacks vitamin C, various health problems can arise such as scurvy, which when untreated, results in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums and loose teeth.

Since it came into the Nigerian market in 1976, Maltina has consistently been telling a compelling and refreshing story of happiness and complete richness that is inspired by sharing Maltina with friends and loved ones.