22nd January 2025: PepsiCo India, in partnership with Smile Foundation, announced the launch of ‘Pink Smile’, a project aimed at combating anaemia and malnutrition. Focused on enhancing healthcare accessibility and availability, the initiative in its early stage has impacted 4,200 beneficiaries from underserved communities including women, adolescents and children. Mrs. Buddhi Mishra, District Program Officer, Mathura, graced the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of dignitaries, including Mr. Sachin Sharma, Medical Officer In-charge of the Chatta block, Mr. Naresh Kumar, Development Officer of the Chatta block, and Ms. Rukmadi, Child Development Program Officer of the Nandgaon block.
Aligned with PepsiCo India’s guiding principle, “Partnership of Progress – Unnati ki Sajhedari,” the program outreach is conducted in collaboration with frontline workers and health experts. It will also contribute to the local administration’s efforts towards Anaemia Mukt Bharat and reducing Kuposhan (malnutrition). The ‘Pink Smile’ program aims to impact over 40,000 individuals across 10 villages in Chhata Teshil of Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.
In line with the government’s mission to improve maternal and child health, the ‘Pink Smile’ project seeks to address critical gaps in healthcare delivery, primarily through Mobile Medical Units (MMU) providing curative, preventive, and promotive services. Program interventions will include anemia screening, specialized teleconsultation, and nutrition distribution, set to benefit vulnerable populations—particularly women, adolescents, and children by enhancing their health-seeking behavior and providing timely interventions for anemia and malnutrition.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Buddhi Mishra, District Program Officer, Mathura, and the chief guest for the event, said “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to PepsiCo India, Smile Foundation, the dedicated volunteers, and our Anganwadi sisters for bringing this impactful initiative to life. The ‘Pink Smile’ project is a commendable step towards improving health and raising awareness in our communities. By working together, we can ensure timely interventions and develop sustainable solutions to eradicate malnutrition and anaemia, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of countless individuals.”
Alok Srivastava, Plant Head – Kosi, PepsiCo India, shared, “The ‘Pink Smile’ project embodies PepsiCo India’s ‘Partnership of Progress’, where we work alongside organizations like Smile Foundation and local bodies to create meaningful and enduring impact in communities. This initiative goes beyond addressing anaemia and malnutrition; it is a step towards increased health literacy leading to women making informed decisions about their health and well-being. Together, we are strengthening the collective societal efforts to lay the foundation for a healthier, anemia-free future for women, children, and adolescents in Uttar Pradesh.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-founder of Smile Foundation, shared, “Through the collaboration with PepsiCo India, we are seeing a direct impact on the healthcare aspects of the communities we serve. The comprehensive healthcare services provided through the Mobile Medical Unit will go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts of eradicating anemia and malnutrition, especially in rural India. It is inspiring to witness how a unified approach can help bridge gaps in augmenting access to health and awareness.”
The project’s multi-faceted approach includes:
Specialized teleconsultations for women, adolescents, and children, providing them with expert medical guidance remotely.
Anaemia screening camps that will be held fortnightly, in addition to regular health camps, to identify early cases of anemia and malnutrition.
Nutrition education and distribution, featuring low-cost high-nutrition recipes, which will empower local communities to combat malnutrition effectively.
Establishment of kitchen gardens to promote sustainable nutrition practices within households.
Training of frontline workers to help raise awareness and provide necessary skills to combat anemia and malnutrition within local communities.
Since its inception, the project has been received with enthusiasm from local communities, with over 478 individuals screened for anemia and 214 children screened for malnutrition. The distribution of essential nutritional support has reached 125 children in the covered villages.
