AspartofourNutrition programinSriLanka,we aretrialingnewlocal recipesforReady-to-Use TherapeuticFood(RUTF) toseewhatrecipe childrenlikethemost...
Beth Stirling, International Program Manager
Hi Kent and May Ann,
last week I visited our Nutrition project in Sri Lanka where we are trialing new local recipes for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to see what recipe children like the most. ��
The new recipes are suited to the local tastes of children in Sri Lanka with high-energy content and adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, matching other global RUTF standards. Producing RUTF locally is also a way to support the local economy, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce overall cost.
The trial is in Jaffna, where there is a large Tamil population and the local food has some diversity in flavours to compare children's preferences. Each day for a week the same data collector sits with the same 4-6 preschool children and offers them the RUTF for their morning snack.
They observe and mark the child's reactions and asks about different qualities - colour, flavour, odour, texture, and overall acceptability - on a 5-scale rating ( ... ) as well as the amount eaten, and how long they take to eat.
After children have had their say on the tastiest recipe we’ll scope where the recipe can be produced locally at a large scale, and trial the recipe on 200 children with severe acute malnutrition to assess its effectiveness on their recovery.
Your support for the Nutrition program in Sri Lanka is having a hugely positive impact on the lives of children. Thank you for helping us to reach every child, no matter what.
On behalf of all the children helped, thank you again for your generosity.
Beth