What is RUTF (Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food)?

RUTF is peanut butter “amplified,” – it is loosely defined as a fortified peanut butter paste rich in vitamins and energy contained in a package that looks like an oversized ketchup packet. RUTF has been revolutionary in treating Severe Acute Malnutrition because it allows SAM (Severe Acute Malnourishment) to be treated in the community, does not require water, and does not spoil.

1 packet of RUTF contains 500 calories of therapeutic food.

HOW LONG DOES A CHILD NEED TO EAT RUTF?

Typically, a child needs to eat 10-15kg of RUTF over a period of six to eight weeks. That’s three packets of RUTF per day. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98% of children treated with RUTF were well-nourished after six months and 96% were well-nourished after a year.

The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial and can determine that child’s full growth prospects. That is why it is critical that we get RUTF to starving children today.