What is a therapeutic food?
A therapeutic food is a specially formulated, energy-dense, and micronutrient-enriched food product designed for dietary therapy, particularly for those with specific nutritional needs or deficiencies. They are often the primary form of treatment for severe conditions like malnutrition. The most prominent and clinically proven example is Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, or RUTF.
The ultimate example: Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)
RUTF is a ready-to-eat, lipid-based paste that has revolutionized the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children. Its effectiveness comes from a balanced composition and practical features ideal for community-based management, especially in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to medical facilities. While Plumpy'Nut is a well-known brand, other RUTFs exist, often using local ingredients.
Composition of RUTF
- High-energy content: Provides dense energy from fats and carbohydrates for weight gain. A sachet contains about 500 calories.
- High-quality protein: Includes ingredients like peanuts and milk powder for tissue repair and growth.
- Essential micronutrients: Fortified with a mix of vitamins and minerals to correct deficiencies, including vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and potassium.
- Low moisture: Resistant to microbial contamination, safe without clean water for preparation.
Advantages of RUTF in treating malnutrition
RUTF addresses many limitations of traditional inpatient care for children without medical complications. Key advantages include:
- Home-based treatment: Allows treatment at home, reducing the burden on healthcare and infection risk.
- Long shelf life: Typically lasts two years, useful for stockpiling and emergency response.
- Ready-to-eat convenience: Requires no cooking or mixing with water, ensuring a safe food source.
- Palatability and digestibility: Appealing taste and easily digested by children with compromised systems.
Other examples of therapeutic foods
Besides RUTF, other therapeutic foods include:
- F-75 and F-100 milk formulas: Used in hospitals for initial stabilization (F-75) and rehabilitation (F-100) phases of malnutrition treatment.
- Medika Mamba: A Haitian peanut butter-based therapeutic food using local ingredients.
- BP-100: A high-energy, nutrient-fortified bar for emergency feeding developed by the WHO.
Therapeutic food vs. Fortified food
It's important to differentiate therapeutic food from fortified and enriched foods. Therapeutic food is a clinical intervention for severe deficiencies, while fortification and enrichment are public health strategies for prevention on a population level.
| Feature | Therapeutic Food (e.g., RUTF) | Fortified Food (e.g., fortified milk) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Treatment of existing, severe malnutrition. | Prevention of nutrient deficiencies in a population. |
| Nutrient Level | High concentration of macro- and micronutrients designed for rapid catch-up growth. | Modest addition of specific nutrients to commonly consumed foods. |
| Target Population | Individuals or groups with a diagnosed deficiency or medical condition, like children with SAM. | The general population to improve overall nutrient intake. |
| Administration | Managed under medical supervision, often at home in community-based programs. | Consumed voluntarily as part of a regular diet. |
| Availability | Typically distributed through humanitarian aid or health programs. | Widely available in supermarkets and grocery stores. |
Clinical evidence and global impact
Extensive clinical trials have confirmed RUTF's effectiveness in treating SAM. Home-based therapy with RUTF has shown significantly higher recovery rates than traditional inpatient treatments alone. UNICEF is the largest procurer and distributor globally. Research continues to explore optimized formulations, including milk-free versions using local ingredients, for better cost-effectiveness and scalability. A 2025 review found that non-milk RUTFs can be as effective as standard RUTFs for weight gain in older children with SAM. The focus on locally produced RUTF addresses cost and sustainability, helping communities become more resilient. Organizations like UNICEF and WHO continue to advocate for these products.
Conclusion
A prime example of a therapeutic food is Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), such as Plumpy'Nut. Designed to treat severe acute malnutrition, RUTF provides dense energy, protein, and micronutrients in a hygienic, ready-to-eat format. Its properties allow for effective, decentralized treatment, shifting malnutrition management from centralized hospital care to more efficient community-based approaches. This has significantly impacted child survival rates in humanitarian crises and low-resource settings, highlighting the importance of specialized therapeutic foods in public health.
