Knowledge Agora



Scientific Article details

Title Ready-to-use foods for management of moderate acute malnutrition: Considerations for scaling up production and use in programs
ID_Doc 67333
Authors Osendarp, S; Rogers, B; Ryan, K; Manary, M; Akomo, P; Bahwere, P; Belete, H; Zeilani, M; Islam, M; Dibari, F; de Pee, S
Title Ready-to-use foods for management of moderate acute malnutrition: Considerations for scaling up production and use in programs
Year 2015
Published
DOI 10.1177/15648265150361S110
Abstract Ready-to-use foods are one of the available strategies for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), but challenges remain in the use of these products in programs at scale. This paper focuses on two challenges: the need for cheaper formulations using locally available ingredients that are processed in a safe, reliable, and financially sustainable local production facility; and the effective use of these products in large-scale community-based programs. Linear programming tools can be used successfully to design local compositions that are in line with international guidelines, low in cost, and acceptable, and the efficacy of these local formulations in the treatment of MAM was recently demonstrated in Malawi. The production of local formulations for programs at scale relies on the existence of a reliable and efficient local production facility. Technical assistance may be required in the development of sustainable business models at an early stage in the process, taking into account the stringent product quality and safety criteria and the required investments. The use of ready-to-use products, as of any food supplement, in programs at scale will be affected by the practice of household sharing and diversion of these products for other uses. Additional measures can be considered to account for sharing. These products designed for the treatment and prevention of MAM are to be used in community-based programs and should therefore be used in conjunction with other interventions and designed so that they do not replace the intake of other foods and breastmilk. Remaining challenges and implications for the (operations) research agenda are discussed.
Author Keywords Local formulation; local production; moderate acute malnutrition; ready-to-use foods; scale-up programs
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000361183000010
WoS Category Food Science & Technology; Nutrition & Dietetics
Research Area Food Science & Technology; Nutrition & Dietetics
PDF https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/15648265150361S110
Similar atricles
Scroll