General information
Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) bars are used by humanitarian agencies, Ministry of health, governmental and non-governmental organizations for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and targets individuals suffering from SAM with appetite and no severe medical complications or those in phase 2 of their treatment, in stabilization centers.
RUTF bars may be used in harsh climatic conditions and may be the sole source of food, except for water and breast milk, during the period of use.
RUTF bars consists of compressed bars, manufactured from a mixture of cereal (wheat and Oat), milk powder, vegetable oil (palm, rapeseed, soybean), Sugar, with added vitamins and minerals. They can replace the RUTF lipid based products (like Plumpy Nut,eeZee paste, etc…) in context where the arachnid taste is not appreciated for instance.The formula of RUTF has been developed based on WHO recommendations for SAM treatment. RUTF bars are high energy fortified food equivalent to the WHO-F100 therapeutic rehabilitation diet but with a higher density. Its nutritional specifications are similar to the F100 milk, the only difference being that RUTF bar contains iron (10mg/100g).
RUTF bars are compressed in tablets of 28,4g. Each packaging of RUTF bar contains 18 half bars packed into 9 bars in grease-proof paper.
Instructions of use indicate the product can be eaten or fed:
- directly from the pack with no prior cooking, dilution or preparation
- Or can be crumbled into water and eaten as porridge. (to make a porridge, use 2dl of boiled drinking water per 2meal pack” consisting of 2 tablets). For children between 6 and 24 months, the product should be preferably given as porridge.
RUTF bars have a shelf life of 4 years from date of production when stored at warehouse conditions. Minor decrease in the level of some of the vitamins can occur depending on time and temperature of storage. After opening the aluminum-foil bag, RUTF bar should be used within1-2weeks.
Importation of food is always subject to acceptance from the national authorities, based on their national specifications; to be checked before purchasing.
Impact on the local, national, or regional market availability and prices should be carefully looked at before purchasing large quantities.