Commitment announced following opening of International Osteoporosis Foundation's 3rd Asia Pacific Osteoporosis Meeting

Dubai, 24 December 2012: Anlene has today announced its commitment to carry out a record seven million Bone Health Checks across the Middle East and Asia over the next year.

The Anlene Bone Health Check programme is run across the region and provides millions of people with free bone scans to help them understand more about bone health.

Fonterra Managing Director ASEAN/MENA Mark Wilson said this commitment builds on Anlene's ongoing efforts to help raise awareness about the importance of bone health.

"Anlene has been working to raise awareness and generate interest in bone health for a number of years in the Middle East and Asia and we have provided free bone scans to more than 13 million people in the last five years alone."

According to data analysed from the Anlene Bone Health Check, 30 per cent of women 25 to 40 years of age in the Middle East are at risk of developing osteoporosis later in life, so millions of people across the region could be affected in the years to come.

"Raising awareness about bone health and highlighting the simple lifestyle and nutrition choices that people can make to prevent osteoporosis is essential in helping to reduce the prevalence of this crippling disease in the Middle East and Asia," said Mr Wilson.

Nancy Ajram, who was unveiled as Anlene's first internationally-recognised Middle East Anlene Ambassador on World Osteoporosis Day is encouraging women to take three essential steps for better bone health.

"Bone health is something that I believe in and take very seriously. As a singer, the demands on my time, body and mind can be very challenging. This is why I pay particular attention to my calcium and vitamin D intake and make sure that I make time to get enough weight-bearing exercise every day.

"I advise everyone - no matter your age or gender - to do the same. Make sure you get your daily dose of calcium, vitamin D and regular weight-bearing exercise today to ensure you maintain strong bones tomorrow," she said.

International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Chief Executive Officer Judy Stenmark said that Osteoporosis is a major health problem across the Middle East and Asia and the low calcium and vitamin D intake levels, are among the key contributing factors. "More needs to be done to raise awareness of this disease throughout the Middle East and Asia. IOF experts have identified low levels of calcium intake and inadequate vitamin D throughout the region. This has serious implications for the region's bone health, now and in the future."

Mr Wilson concluded: "The Middle East is characterised by fast-growing, increasingly urban and ageing populations who are living more sedentary lifestyles. At the same time, people are becoming increasingly affluent, driving interest in health and nutrition. People are looking to stay fit and active for longer and good bone health is essential in them achieving this goal."

About Fonterra
Fonterra is a global leader in dairy nutrition - the preferred supplier of dairy ingredients to many of the world's leading food companies. Fonterra is also a market leader with our own consumer dairy brands in Australia/New Zealand, Asia/Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

The farmer-owned New Zealand co-operative is the largest processor of milk in the world, producing more than two million tonnes of dairy ingredients, value added dairy ingredients, specialty ingredients and consumer products every year. Drawing on generations of dairy expertise, Fonterra is one of the largest investors in dairy based research and innovation in the world. Our more than 16,000 staff work across the dairy spectrum from advising farmers on sustainable farming and milk production, to ensuring we live up to exacting quality standards and delivering every day on our customer promise in more than 100 markets around the world.

About Anlene
Anlene is a range of dairy products specially formulated for adults' optimal bone strength.  The range consists of Anlene Concentrate, Anlene Powder and Anlene Yogurt products. Anlene Powder contains more calcium than regular fresh milk. Anlene Powder also contains important bone nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc and Protein for optimum bone health. Fonterra has spent more than US$50 million on bone health research over the past 15 years and the experts behind Anlene have funded, and been involved in 23 clinical trials relating to bone health. 

For more information, please contact:                             
Iman Ahmed
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+971 50 2058021 
iman.ahmed@bm.com

Press Release 2012