Nutrimax.lk Founder Darshini Sudesh is on a mission to improve health and nutrition in Sri Lanka by offering vegan protein powders and baby cereals that are locally made from natural ingredients. Healthy and convenient, Nutrimax products can be used to make energy balls and other snacks.
The Nutrimax story began when Sudesh discovered that her son was allergic to seafood and also lactose intolerant. This led to her search for supplementary nutrition to support her son’s health and, in turn, the founding of Nutrimax. “Nutrimax is nourished with love; every family deserves the best,” asserted Sudesh, speaking of her products.
Following are excerpts:
Could you please introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Darshini Sudesh, the Founder of Nutrimax.lk, and a mother of three children.
Could you tell us the story behind your brand and what motivated you to start this?
When I found out my son was allergic to seafood and that he was lactose intolerant, I was worried. Then I began my search to discover supplementary nutrition to support my son’s health. This is when I founded Nutrimax.lk with products that are more supportive of my family’s nutritional values. Nutrimax is nourished with love; every family deserves the best. I made two products, namely the cereal and powder, which support the morning meal requirement and the evening meal requirement as a supplement.
Could you tell us a little bit more about your products and how they support an ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly lifestyle?
We have two products at present – the Nutrimax cereal and the protein powder. Nutrimax products can be mixed with plant-based milk to support family health requirements. Nutrimax is an effort of love to make my son healthier. These products have over 30 naturally-sourced organic ingredients. They support local vendors and the health requirements of my family. The products have no added sugar, no preservatives, no colouring, and no additional ingredients.
Nutrimax is committed to environmentally-responsible packaging and creating employment opportunities for mothers. Furthermore, it works with the Ministry of Health and local community organisations to identify rural areas with high numbers of malnourished children and provides free products and programmes for village mothers and caretakers.
What are your plans for the brand going forward? Are there specific areas you wish to focus on?
At Nutrimax, our vision is to continue promoting health and wellness through innovative and nutritious products. Moving forward, we plan to expand our product line with a focus on introducing new plant-based offerings and enhancing the variety of flavours and nutritional profiles. We aim to strengthen our commitment to sustainability by exploring eco-friendly packaging options and sourcing ingredients responsibly. Additionally, we intend to engage more with our community through educational initiatives on the benefits of a balanced and plant-centric diet.
How can EthicalX help you in achieving these goals?
EthicalX can play a pivotal role in supporting Nutrimax’s goals. Collaboration with EthicalX can open avenues for sustainable partnerships, helping us source ethically-produced ingredients and materials. EthicalX’s expertise in ethical business practices can guide us in making informed decisions that align with our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Furthermore, EthicalX’s network can provide valuable insights into market trends and consumer preferences, assisting Nutrimax in staying at the forefront of the ethical and wellness industry and also with funding support. Through this collaboration, we aim to amplify our impact on both health-conscious consumers and the planet.
SLYCAN Trust launched the EthicalX programme in January 2022 to enhance Sri Lanka’s start-up ecosystem and strengthen ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly entrepreneurship on all levels. Through Climate & Innovation Hubs, EthicalX provides capacity-building and technical support for entrepreneurs at various stages of their business development, with a special focus on plant-based food systems.
The EthicalX Food Systems Cell comprises talented and well-rounded entrepreneurs with a common interest in enhancing their capacities, expanding their network, and promoting sustainable and ethical food systems through their enterprises.