Maeil Dairies Sponsors 'Health Package' for Children with Congenital Metabolic Disorders

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Maeil Dairies held a sponsorship delivery ceremony for children with phenylketonuria (PKU) on the 28th. The ceremony, held at the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association, was attended by Maeil Dairies officials along with Jo Kyung-ae, Secretary General of the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association, and Song Kyung-seop, Director of the Birth Health Office.

Maeil Dairies has been conducting the ‘PKU Family Growth Camp’ for 19 years since 2001, but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to operate the camp, so they sought other ways to support children with PKU. Through this delivery ceremony, Maeil Dairies plans to sponsor ‘health packages’ to about 100 children with PKU. The health packages consist of products that children with PKU can consume, such as Maeil Dairies Sunup and Maeil Dairies Derte, low-protein food ingredients, masks, and more. Additionally, a dietary therapy guidebook will be produced and distributed.

Phenylketonuria is a rare congenital metabolic disorder in which the enzyme that breaks down essential nutrients such as protein is deficient or not produced. Because of this, children with PKU have difficulty digesting breast milk, rice, bread, meat, and must consume nutrients only through special formula or low-protein foods throughout their lives. If dietary management is not properly maintained, amino acids and metabolic products that cannot be broken down accumulate, causing motor development disorders, growth retardation, brain cell damage, and in severe cases, death.

A Maeil Dairies official said, “We regret that we could not hold the ‘PKU Family Growth Camp,’ which served as a place to share health management and dietary therapy information for children with PKU and foster communication among families. However, we are glad to continue activities for children with PKU through the sponsorship of health packages.” He added, “Based on our corporate philosophy that no child should be left out and all should grow up healthy, Maeil Dairies will continue to make efforts for the health of children with congenital metabolic disorders.”

Meanwhile, Maeil Dairies developed eight types of special formula in 12 products for children with congenital metabolic disorders for the first time in Korea in 1999, and remains the only domestic manufacturer producing and supplying these products. In addition, the company is engaged in various social contribution activities, including the Heart Meal campaign to improve social awareness of congenital metabolic disorders.