Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF)

Ready to Use
Suplementary Food

Development for Moderate Acute Malnutrition

Food Research Lab specializes in the development of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF), designed to address the nutritional gaps in populations suffering from Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). We leverage our expertise in nutrition science, formulation, and compliance to create RUSF solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of at-risk populations, especially children.

FRL’s Role in RUSF Development

1. Custom Formulation Development:

Comprehensive Nutrition: We develop RUSF formulations enriched with precise macronutrient and micronutrient compositions, ensuring adequate energy, protein, and fat content.
Micronutrient Premixes: Inclusion of essential vitamins (A, D, E, K, B-complex, folic acid) and minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, selenium) to address deficiencies.
Energy-Dense Base: Formulations typically include sugar, dried skim milk, vegetable oil, and maltodextrin to deliver the recommended 75 kcal/kg/day.

2. Ingredient Optimization:

Incorporating locally available and culturally acceptable ingredients such as groundnuts, soya, or oil seeds to ensure affordability and scalability.
Ensuring all raw materials are free from contaminants such as aflatoxins and meet international safety standards.

3. Palatability and Acceptance:

Developing RUSF with improved flavor, texture, and consistency to ensure high compliance, especially in young children.
Tailoring products to specific preferences of the target population, ensuring ease of consumption without additional preparation.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Ensuring that RUSF products align with global standards set by WHO, UNICEF, and Codex Alimentarius.
Preparing the necessary documentation for approvals and certifications to enable safe and compliant use in emergency and healthcare settings.

5. Production Support

Designing formulations that are prepackaged, shelf-stable, and ready-to-eat, suitable for emergency contexts and home-based nutritional interventions.
Conducting stability studies to ensure a shelf life of 12–24 months, even in extreme environmental conditions.

6. Targeted Nutritional Solutions:

Emergency Nutrition: Providing RUSF for immediate intervention in disaster-stricken or famine-affected regions.
Preventive Use: Formulating RUSF to prevent relapse into severe acute malnutrition following therapeutic nutrition programs.

7. Quality Assurance and Testing:

Comprehensive testing for nutrient bioavailability, safety, and stability.
Sensory evaluations to ensure the product meets taste and quality expectations.

8. Education and Protocol Alignment:

Assisting health programs in aligning RUSF use with national protocols for managing MAM.
Providing guidelines for RUSF administration, such as dosage recommendations (75 kcal/kg/day for 6–8 weeks).

Impactful RUSF Development

Through our tailored RUSF solutions, FRL bridges the gap in nutritional requirements for at-risk populations, delivering effective, scalable, and affordable supplementary food products. Whether for emergency contexts or structured nutritional programs, FRL ensures every product meets the highest scientific and quality standards.

FRL's Approach to Innovation

Sustainability Focus: Incorporating sustainable and locally sourced ingredients to lower costs and environmental impact.
Technology Integration: Leveraging advanced food processing technologies to enhance product safety, stability, and efficiency in production.
Collaborative Solutions: Partnering with NGOs, governments, and healthcare organizations to deploy RUSF effectively in at-risk regions.

Read our latest
Sustainability Report

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