Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 19, 2012
• Invested on: May 03, 2013

Venkatesh Mannar has helped prevent debilitating health conditions in millions of adults and children. A chemical engineer with a background in salt production, he worked as a consultant to the United Nations, improving access to iodine-fortified salt in populations burdened with micronutrient deficiency. He leads Canada’s Micronutrient Initiative, where he has dramatically expanded the organization’s reach, creating a global force in providing access to life-saving nutrients, such as zinc, iron and vitamin A.