The World Food Programme (WFP) uses a wide range of specialized foods to improve the nutritional intake of the people we assist around the world. They range from Fortified Blended Foods (FBFs) and micronutrient powders to Ready-to-Use Foods and High-Energy Biscuits (HEBs). You can learn about these food types below. Or you can download the WFP Specialised Nutritious Foods factsheet.
Related topics
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Fortified Blended Foods (FBFs)
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FBFs are blends of partially precooked and milled cereals, soya, beans, pulses fortified with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Special formulations may contain vegetable oil or milk powder. FBFs are designed to provide protein supplements. In food assistance programs to prevent and address nutritional deficiencies. They are generally used in WFP Supplementary Feeding and Mother and Child Health programs. Also, to provide extra micronutrients to complement the general ration.
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Ready-to-Use Foods (RUFs)
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RUFs are better suited to meet the nutritional needs of young and moderate malnourished children than FBFs. RUFs distributed by WFP may contain vegetable fat, dry skimmed milk, malt dextrin, sugar and whey. Are used mostly in emergency operations or at the beginning of a WFP intervention for prevention or treatment of moderate malnutrition.
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High Energy Biscuits (HEBs)
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Wheat-based biscuits which provide 450kcal with a minimum of 10 grams and max of 15 grams of protein per 100 grams, fortified in vitamin and minerals.
They are they used In the first days of emergency when cooking facilities are scarce. Easy to distribute and provide a quick solution to improve the level of nutrition. -
Micronutrient Powder Or “Sprinkles”
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A tasteless powder containing the recommended daily intake of 16 vitamins and mineral for one person. Can be sprinkled onto home-prepared food after cooking just before eating.
Useful when fortification of cereal flour cannot be implemented or when it is inadequate for specific groups. One sachet per person is sprinkled onto home prepared food. -
Compressed Food Bars
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Bars of compressed food, composed of baked wheat flour, vegetable fat, sugars, soya protein concentrate and malt extract. Used in disaster relief operation when local food can’t be distributed or prepared. Should not be used for children under 6 months and in the first 2 weeks of treatment of severe malnutrition.