As part of its commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles among young Malaysians, the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) programme recently marked its 15th anniversary with a celebration at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Empat in Bandar Baru Bangi. The event gathered representatives from the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), teachers, parents, and students to commemorate this milestone and reaffirm the strong partnership that has supported the programme’s impact over the years. Since its launch in 2010, N4HK has grown to become one of the nation’s longest-running school-based nutrition education initiatives, reaching more than 220,000 students across 865 schools nationwide.
The programme equips children aged seven to twelve with essential knowledge on balanced nutrition, physical activity, and proper hygiene through interactive learning modules conducted by registered nutritionists. As N4HK looks towards the future, it aims to reach 500,000 primary school students by 2030, reinforcing its mission to help children and families build lasting healthy habits. The programme’s reach is further strengthened through N4HK PARENPRO, an initiative designed to involve parents and caregivers by bridging nutrition knowledge gaps and encouraging healthier choices at home. By combining school-based education with parental involvement, Nestlé ensures that nutrition learning is practical, consistent, and extends beyond the classroom environment.
The children of SK Jalan Empat, Bandar Baru Bangi, taking part in fun nutrition education activities at the 15-year celebration of Nestlé’s N4HK Programme, together with [Far left] YM Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, and [Back row, second from right] En Suhaimee Bin Sulaiman, Chief Assistant Director, Student Affairs Management Sector, Daily School Management Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia
YM Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director of Group Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Malaysia, expressed that celebrating 15 years of N4HK is a significant milestone that reflects the thousands of children, parents, and educators who have benefitted from the programme. She emphasised Nestlé’s commitment to expanding its reach to half a million students by 2030 while deepening engagement with parents through N4HK PARENPRO. She reiterated that the overarching goal is to make good nutrition a practical and accessible part of daily life for all Malaysians.
Highlighting Malaysia’s broader nutritional challenges, Ms. Wong Mei Ching, Group Corporate Nutrition Manager at Nestlé Malaysia, explained that the country continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. National findings reveal that more than 90 percent of adults and children do not consume adequate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies remain widespread, while dietary fibre intake is significantly below recommended levels across all age groups. She noted that these nutritional gaps underscore the urgent need for balanced diets featuring nutrient-rich foods. Through the N4HK programme, Nestlé aims to instil healthier eating habits early in life while empowering parents with tools such as meal planning guidance, portion control tips, and engaging educational activities that support positive eating behaviours at home.
Nestlé’s N4HK Programme equips primary school children with essential knowledge on balanced nutrition, physical activity and good hygiene through engaging interactive learning modules conducted by registered nutritionists.
Professor Dr. Mahenderan Appukutty, President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, added that the organisation is proud to have collaborated with Nestlé and the Ministry of Education over the past 15 years. He emphasised that combining science-based nutrition knowledge with interactive learning enables children to understand the importance of balanced eating and active living, helping lay the foundation for a healthier future generation.
The anniversary celebration featured a series of interactive activities designed for both parents and children. Parents participated in a nutrition talk led by an NSM registered nutritionist and engaged in hands-on sessions such as “Build Your Healthy Plate” and “Smart Swaps for Healthier Choices.” Children meanwhile enjoyed fun learning experiences that included nutrition-themed games, aerobics sessions, and a burger-making activity. These activities encapsulated the core intention of the N4HK programme to make nutrition education engaging, inclusive, and impactful for all ages.
Commemorating 15 years of the Nestlé For Healthier Kids Programme (N4HK) fostering healthier lifestyles among young Malaysians, reaching over 220,000 students across 865 schools nationwide to date. [Front row, left to right] Pn Nisi Fazirawati, Senior Assistant for Co-Curriculum of SK Jalan Empat; En Azhar Bin Shafiei, Assistant District Education Officer, Student Affairs Unit, Hulu Langat District Education Office; En Suhaimee Bin Sulaiman, Chief Assistant Director, Student Affairs Management Sector, Daily School Management Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia; YM Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia; and Professor Dr. Mahenderan Appukutty, President of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, with students, parents and teachers of SK Jalan Empat, Bandar Baru Bangi.
Aligned with Nestlé’s global ambition to help 50 million primary school students live healthier lives by 2030, the Nestlé for Healthier Kids programme continues to create meaningful and lasting impact. Through its efforts, Nestlé remains committed to supporting good health, nutritional wellbeing, and the development of healthier future generations in Malaysia.
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