title: Recommendations for optimization of fortified and blended food aid products from the United States.
abstract: Fortified blended foods (FBFs) were introduced into the Food for Peace program (also known as US Public Law 480) in the 1960s. Minimal changes have since been made to their formulations. A Food Aid Quality Enhancement Project to assess the nutritional adequacy of FBFs for vulnerable populations was conducted, and the findings indicate that FBFs do not meet the nutritional needs of infants and young children between the ages of 6 and 24 months. Improvements are also needed for FBFs intended for school-aged children and adults. Two separate products would better meet the varying nutritional needs of diverse groups of beneficiaries. Proposed here is a two-step strategy for better addressing the needs of today's food aid beneficiaries: 1) improving FBFs for general distribution to households, schools, and emergency settings, with potential efficiencies gained in manufacturing and formulation to reduce costs; 2) developing new products for infants and young children, which would deliver the nutrient density required for growth and development.
authors.affiliation: SUSTAIN, Washington, DC 20008-1774, USA. lisa.fleige@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lisa E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Fleige
authors.forename: Wayne R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Garlick
authors.forename: Suzanne P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Lengerich
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Orthoefer
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005522:Food Services; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations