Bringing high-quality New Zealand dairy nutrition to Vietnam

One in three Vietnamese women aged in their 50s is expected to suffer from osteoporosis, according to published data by the Ho Chi Minh City Osteoporosis Association^(1),  Vietnam has one of the world’s highest incidences of bone, joint and muscle issues later in life due to an inadequate diet and lack of physical activity⁽²⁾, with Vietnamese people being among the most sedentary in the world, according to the United Nations Population Fund. ⁽³⁾

Fonterra is a global leader in dairy innovation and science, and its adult milk brand Anlene – the number one choice of Hi-Calcium milk in both urban and rural Vietnam ⁽⁴⁾ – aims to combat these issues by helping Vietnamese identify issues early, before they become a problem later in life.

Over the last four years, Fonterra/Anlene has conducted more than 100,000 bone health checks across Vietnam, working in partnership with the country’s National Institution of Nutrition.

Using a non-invasive bone-scan machine – a small, easy-to-transport device which takes an impression of the bones on your feet – the health check assesses whether you are at low, moderate or high risk of osteoporosis.

This technology was on show at this week's AgriConnectioNZ exhibition in Hanoi, organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. During the event, the Fonterra team hosted New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Trade Minister Damien O’Connor and 18 New Zealand business delegates in Vietnam as part of a trade mission.The delegation took the opportunity to check their bone health and learn more about Fonterra’s work in the country.

Roshan da Silva, General Manager of Fonterra Brands Vietnam, said that as a world leader in dairy science and nutrition, Fonterra sees it as a responsibility to help prevent osteoporosis in Southeast Asia.

“Vietnam is a fast-growing economy, which needs a strong, active and mobile workforce to achieve its economic goals, and bone health is critical to overall health and wellbeing.

“Anlene is backed by Fonterra’s Research and Development Centre in New Zealand – one of the largest of its kind in the world and home to 350 scientific and technical experts – and provides a unique bundle of nutrients that work synergistically to support total mobility and freedom of movement.

“In Vietnam, life expectancy is increasing, and will continue to rise. ⁽⁵⁾  Today, people are in the pursuit of a good and long life, but often take their mobility for granted until it is compromised.

“Eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking and running is required to support adults’ musculoskeletal health.

“By providing free bone health scans and much-needed nutrition through high-quality dairy such as Anlene, we want to help all Vietnamese take charge of their health today – so they can live a long, active, quality life tomorrow,” said Roshan.

Information Sources:

1.     “Osteoporosis, risk of disability and death but preventable”, Ho Chi Minh City Osteoporosis Association, 11th Aug 2020 http://hoiloangxuonghcm.vn/wp/gay-xuong/

2.      “Trends in aging population in Vietnam and issues for fiscal policy”, Vietnam Institute of Financial Strategy and Policy, 1st Apr 2022, 17:35 https://mof.gov.vn/webcenter/portal/vclvcstc/pages_r/l/chi-tiet-tin?dDocName=MOFUCM227592

3.     “Vietnamese people are the laziest to exercise in the world”, VNExpress, 4th Mar 2019 10:14 https://vnexpress.net/nguoi-viet-luoi-tap-the-duc-nhat-the-gioi-3887015.html

4.     (4) According to research by Kantar – Worldpanel Division – Household Shopping Behavior Research Report - Urban 4 key cities and Rural Vietnam - 52 weeks ending July 2022.

5.     “The average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is more than 73, but the healthy life expectancy is only 64”, Vietnamnet, 10th Aug 2022, 10:32 https://vietnamnet.vn/tuoi-tho-trung-binh-nguoi-viet-hon-73-nhung-tuoi-song-khoe-chi-dat-64-2048065.html