Intertek and ICCIDD are appointed to global universal salt iodization partnership project
12 Dec 2011
Stuttgart/Bremen/Ottawa - The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has appointed Intertek as an independent cooperation partner on the GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization Partnership Project.
On this Project, Intertek will act as an independent project manager on quality assurance (QA) and control (QC) and an interface between the two main actors: GAIN and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency and Disorders (ICCIDD) both of which will provide this initiative with technical expertise on salt iodization. Within its project management role Intertek will support countries receiving support through the GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization Partnership Project through the provision of technical QA and QC services.
The GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization partnership project aims to reduce iodine deficiency in 13 countries, representing a total population of 2.3 billon people. The project is intended to meet the needs of the countries for improving the quality of their iodized salt supplies through the implementation of several new findings out of the GAIN-UNICEF project. Based on the technical experience and advice of ICCIDD, Intertek will implement the newly developed QA/QC manuals and training materials. Furthermore, Intertek with support of ICCIDD will offer in-country "train the trainer" workshops to transfer the technical knowledge and the quality relevant contents sustainably to the participating countries which are Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Niger, Pakistan, Senegal and Ukraine. Several of these countries export salt to neighbouring areas so it is expected that the scope of beneficiaries will go beyond the populations living in the countries where the project is operating.
"For Intertek this cooperation is a great opportunity to use all our global resources and competencies as "Intertek as one" to support this project. Especially our skills in project management, certification and high quality auditing will be helpful to lead this project to a successful outcome", said Dr. Kurt-Peter Raezke, Intertek's Global Technical Director for Food & Agri.
For more information about the global GAIN project, please visit: www.gainhealth.org/factsheets/gain-unicef-universal-salt-iodization-usi-partnership-fact-sheet
Contact:
Dr. Chris Würdemann, GAIN Project Manager, Intertek Food Services
Phone +49 421 65727323
Email: Chris.Wuerdemann@intertek.com
Christian Kleinert, Marketing Director - Food & Agri Services, Intertek
Phone: +49 711 27311449
Email: christian.kleinert@intertek.com
Dr. Gregory Gerasimov – ICCIDD Project Coordinator E-mail: gerasimov@verizon.net
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading global provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and 30,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world. For further information please visit www.intertek.com
About ICCIDD
ICCIDD is the only international organization specifically constituted to promote optimal iodine nutrition and the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). ICCIDD's multidisciplinary global network consists of over 600 specialists from more than 100 countries. ICCIDD is a non profit, nongovernmental organization (NGO) with official consultant status with WHO and the UN system, a founding member of the Network for Sustained Elimination of IDD, and is an official participant in the annual World Health Assembly. ICCIDD is registered as a charitable organization under the laws of Canada. For further information please visit www.iccidd.org