Malnutrition is one among the biggest threats to our future, affecting millions of children across the globe. In the fight against severe acute malnutrition (SAM), there are two proven approaches that are commonly known for their efficacy.
The first one is long-term hospitalization where children receive traditional treatments to stabilize their health. Not only can this be inconvenient for the child but in many areas (stricken by poverty, war and other factors), hospitalization is not an easily viable option, or affordable either. This leaves room for malnutrition to turn fatal, specifically for children under 5 with underdeveloped immune systems.
The second method – an alternative to traditional hospitalization is community focused nutrition. Ready to Use Therapeutic food is an ideal situation for malnutrition-stricken populations grappling with low resources and inability to access professional care. RUTF is a fast, scalable and effective solution that helps address the painful effects of malnutrition in the most holistic manner possible.
The Challenge of Severe Acute Malnutrition
Over 45 million children under the age of five suffer from SAM; of these about 13.5 million face the harsher dangers of SAM which, if left untreated can significantly increase chances of death. In remote and poverty stricken areas where in-patient therapeutic care is not even a possibility, RUTF comes into play. It is a more accessible and affordable solution for families living in rural and conflict affected areas.
What Makes RUTF Different?
RUTF is a high-energy, nutrient-dense paste made from ingredients like peanuts, milk powder, vegetable oil, sugar, vitamins, and minerals. It requires no cooking, refrigeration, or clean water – making it ideal for home-based treatment under the supervision of community health workers.
According to UNICEF and WHO, a standard RUTF protocol typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks and can be administered entirely outside of a hospital setting for children with uncomplicated SAM.
Let’s break down the key advantages:
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- Proven Effectiveness
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- RUTF-based treatment achieves recovery rates of 85–95%, compared to significantly lower and less consistent outcomes in overcrowded, under-resourced hospitals.
- A study published in The Lancet found that children treated with RUTF at home were more likely to recover than those receiving hospital-based feeding programs.
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- Scalable and Cost-Effective
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- Treating SAM in a hospital for several months requires a considerable investment: medical staff, infrastructure, transportation, and continued follow-up.
- In contrast, RUTF enables decentralized care. One healthcare worker can supervise hundreds of children within a community program, reducing the burden on the health system.
- A course of RUTF treatment costs between $40–$60 per child, depending on region and logistics, offering high impact at a relatively low cost.
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- Increased Accessibility and Adherence
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- Long hospital stays often mean caregivers lose daily income, and in many cases, families simply can’t stay in treatment facilities for months.
- RUTF shifts the burden of care from institutions to communities, allowing children to stay at home, with their families, while receiving full treatment.
- This model leads to higher adherence rates, fewer dropouts, and more sustained recovery.
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- Decreased Risk of Relapse
Hospital stays may improve nutritional status in the short term, but without a sustainable feeding strategy post-discharge, relapse is common. RUTF not only provides immediate therapeutic nutrition but helps families build routines around continued home feeding, setting a foundation for long-term recovery.
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- Emergency-Ready
RUTF is also designed for emergency settings – drought, displacement, floods, or conflict. It has a long shelf life (up to 24 months), is compact, and easy to transport, making it an essential part of humanitarian nutrition kits.
Nuflower’s Commitment: Delivering Quality RUTF at Scale
At Nuflower, we are proud to offer NutriFEEDO®, our WHO-compliant Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, developed in alignment with international standards for treating SAM. Our production facilities ensure:
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- Consistent product quality across batches
- Robust quality control and nutrient testing
- High-volume manufacturing capacity to meet emergency or large-scale demands
- Efficient packaging for ease of use in the field
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NutriFEEDO® has been successfully deployed in national health programs and supported by humanitarian partners worldwide. With every sachet, we move closer to our shared mission of ending child malnutrition.
A Smarter, Faster Path to Recovery
Eight weeks of RUTF doesn’t just replace hospital care – it redefines how we treat malnutrition in the 21st century. It allows for scalable, decentralized, cost-effective treatment that puts the child and their family at the center of recovery.
For governments, NGOs, and public health planners, RUTF offers a powerful, proven alternative – one that ensures more children are reached, more lives are saved, and more communities are strengthened.