Taking cue from prime minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, Abbott Laboratories through its subsidiary Abbott India inaugurated and launched its first nutraceutical plant in India at Jhagadia near Bharuch with an investment of Rs.450 crore. The plant for manufacturing Abbott's nutraceutical products, inaugurated by Gujarat chief minister, Anandiben Patel, marks the realisation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between US based pharma giant and the Gujarat government under the Vibrant Gujarat initiative.

Located in 45 acres of land at Jhagadia which comes in between Bharuch and Vadodara district, the plant has the capabilities to produce nutraceutical products for Indian as well a global markets. Interestingly, all the nutraceutical products like Ensure' range of nutritional drinks for elderly people and paediatric nutritional drink like PediaSure where only marketed in India while they where manufactured in US.

Launch of this manufacturing plant has opened up wide range opportunities for the state by not only generating ample scope for employment, but also setting example for foreign investors to come to the country, informed Dr H G Koshia, commissioner of Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA). “We are very excited by this development as it provide huge boost for manpower development within the state, as this plant alone employs more than 400 people. What makes this initiative a truly triumphant one is that it shows the immense confidence that global leader like Abbott has in our commitment to good services.”

The Ensure range comprises products like Ensure Clear, Ensure Plus, Ensure Clinical Strength, Ensure Enlive, Ensure High Protein, Ensure High Protein Shake, Ensure Immune Health, Ensure Muscle Health, Ensure Powder and Ensure Pudding.

PediaSure is a nutritional supplement for children between the age group of 2-10 years.