WHY RUTF?
It is essential for the Community based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) of children who are suffering from uncomplicated Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and who retain an appetite. Availability of food causes children to return to home-based food after consuming Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for a few days – once children start consuming home food they don’t have the appetite for Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). Therefore a combined nutrition plan needs to be developed which reduces the “dosage of RUTF” to incorporate home-based food in the daily diet.
How can RUTF aid the process of fighting SAM?
RUTF is an energy-dense, micronutrient enhanced paste which typically have peanuts (or corn or chickpea etc.), oil, sugar, milk powder, and vitamin and mineral supplements. These can be used for providing nutritional requirements to children under 5 years of age.
RUTF is also in the form of a packet, which is easy to transport, deliver and administer to children under 5 years of age. They can also be stored for up to 2 years without refrigeration and, therefore, can be delivered to beneficiaries in large quantities in fewer intervals.
RUTF is the product prescribed by UNICEF and WHO for use within CMAM. RUTF ensures rapid weight gain.
Myths
- RUTF is expensive
- RUTF has high sugar
- RUTF is a replacement of breast feeding
- SAM does not occur in communities that are food secure
- RUTF is meant to replace healthy home cooked food
