The Nutrient Gap Initiative

Simply put, humans need food to survive. But to be healthy, humans need more than just calories. They need critical nutrients, too.  One in three people in our world are surviving on diets lacking the essential vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly, live healthy lives and raise a healthy family.  
 

Often called “hidden hunger,” vitamin and mineral deficiencies are especially prevalent in underserved communities, with women and children being most vulnerable. This type of malnutrition develops gradually over time, the impact not seen until irreversible damage is done.  Deprivation of essential vitamins and minerals may cause poor immunity, birth defects, reduced work capacity, learning disabilities, fragile health or failure to thrive - often exacerbating the cycle of poverty. This is why most micronutrients are part of the World Health Organization Essential Medicine List.
 

As a global leader in human health and sustainable agriculture, Bayer is uniquely positioned to help all people have access to proper nutrition, from food to safety net supplementation. Our goal is to impact 50 million people annually by 2030 by expanding access to diverse nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains and nutritional supplements. We report annually on the number of people reached in underserved communities in the Bayer Impact Report: in 2024 we reached 26 Million.

Through intervention, education and advocacy, Bayer is helping to close the nutrient gap in underserved areas around the world, creating healthier communities for generations.