Nestlé For Healthier Kids Celebrates 15 Years of Healthier Futures

 

As part of its commitment to fostering healthier lifestyles amongst young Malaysians, the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) programme recently celebrated its 15th Anniversary at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Empat, Bandar Baru Bangi. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), teachers, parents and students to recognise this milestone and reaffirm the long-standing partnership that has supported the programme’s impact over the years.

Launched in 2010, N4HK is today one of Malaysia’s longest-running school nutrition education programmes, reaching over 220,000 students across 865 schools nationwide to date. The initiative equips children aged seven to 12 with essential knowledge on balanced nutrition, physical activity and good hygiene through interactive learning modules conducted by registered nutritionists. Looking ahead, N4HK aims to reach 500,000 primary school students by 2030, strengthening its mission to support children and families in building lifelong healthy habits.

The programme’s impact is further amplified through N4HK PARENPRO, which engages parents and caregivers to bridge nutrition knowledge gaps and reinforce healthier choices at home. By combining school-based learning with parent involvement, Nestlé ensures nutrition education is practical, inclusive and extends beyond the classroom.

YM Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director of Group Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, said, “Marking 15 years is a meaningful milestone for us, but more importantly it reflects the thousands of children, parents and educators who have benefitted from the programme. As we look ahead, we are committed to expanding this positive impact to reach half a million students by 2030, while deepening our engagement with parents through N4HK PARENPRO. Our goal is clear: to make good nutrition a practical part of everyday life for Malaysians.”

Ms Wong Mei Ching, Group Corporate Nutrition Manager, Nestlé Malaysia, explained, “Malaysia faces a triple burden of malnutrition—where undernutrition, overnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexist. National surveys show that more than 90% of adults and children do not consume enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies remain widespread while dietary fibre intake is critically low across all age groups. These gaps highlight the urgent need for balanced diets that prioritise nutrient-rich foods to support healthier communities. Through our N4HK programme, we are best placed to instil healthy and balanced eating habits from early life. N4HK empowers parents with practical tools and guidance—such as meal planning tips, portion control, and fun, educational activities—so they can nurture positive eating behaviours at home and help children grow up healthy.”

Professor Dr. Mahenderan Appukutty, President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, added, “The Nutrition Society of Malaysia is pleased to have collaborated with Nestlé and the Ministry of Education over the last 15 years. Combining science-based nutrition knowledge with interactive learning allows children to understand the importance of balanced eating and active living from an early age, laying the foundation for a healthier generation.”

The anniversary celebration featured interactive sessions for parents and children. Parents participated in a nutrition talk by a registered nutritionist from NSM and hands-on activities such as “Build Your Healthy Plate” and “Smart Swaps for Healthier Choices.” Meanwhile, children engaged in fun learning experiences including nutrition games, aerobics and a burger-making activity. These sessions reflected the essence of N4HK to make nutrition education engaging, inclusive and impactful for all ages.

As part of Nestlé’s global ambition to help 50 million primary school students live healthier lives by 2030, Nestlé For Healthier Kids continues to create meaningful and lasting impact, supporting good health and nutritional wellbeing while shaping healthier Malaysian families.