Nigeria Commences Production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food to Fight Malnutrition in Children

The Federal Government said Nigeria has commenced the production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to fight malnutrition, particularly in children. The Director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, disclosed this in her address at the ministerial bi-weekly news conference on COVID-19 response and other developments in the health sector, in Abuja on Tuesday. Anas-Kolo observed that not too long ago, the country was importing RUTF through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). According to her, Nigeria now exports RUTF, saying the food is critical in the treatment of children with severe and acute malnutrition. She said, “RUTF is a life-saving essential supply item that treats severe malnutrition in under-five children. “It is a paste made of powdered milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil, sugar and a mix of vitamins and minerals. “We are currently implementing an accelerated reduction of malnutrition in Nigeria, particularly in 12 states that have the highest burden of nutritional disorders,’’ the director added. Anas-Kolo noted that nutrition related disorders were common in Nigeria, saying 50 per cent of deaths in under-five children resulted from malnutrition. Her words: “Nutrition as well as a balanced diet is very important for children. Mothers are encouraged to observe exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months in the lives of their babies. “Thereafter, they can introduce complementary feeding using locally-available foods. “For protein, they can use crayfish, dried fish and other readily available sources.” Furthermore, Anas-Kolo explained that a balanced diet contributes to children’s physical and brain development, informing that to produce healthy, intelligent children that would make meaningful contributions to the future of Nigeria, proper feeding must begin as soon as they are born. Also, the director disclosed that the ministry is working with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure fortified fats are avoided. Speaking on fortified fats, she explained “Fortified fats are hydrogenated to solidify them; they are harmful and can cause heart problems. “They are unhealthy fats mostly related to high cholesterol. Most business marketers, especially those in the food sector, use trans-fat in bread baking, in cakes and in several other snacks. “We encourage Nigerians to avoid trans-fat. The common one is margarine which is so common; it is trans-fat and we should avoid it as much as we can,’’ Anas-Kolo noted.