What is the RUTF Diet? A Complete Guide to Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food

October 5, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects millions of children under five years old, a condition successfully treated with ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). So, what is the RUTF diet, and how does this nutrient-dense paste work to restore health and save lives in a matter of weeks?

Quick Summary

Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is a high-energy paste used to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM), particularly in children. This fortified food delivers a concentrated dose of essential nutrients for rapid weight gain and recovery, especially in areas with limited medical access.

Key Points

Ready-to-Use Formulation: RUTF is a nutrient-dense paste that does not require cooking or adding water, making it safe for immediate consumption anywhere.
Core Ingredients: The diet typically consists of a peanut-based paste fortified with milk powder, vegetable oil, sugar, and a complete vitamin and mineral mix.
Treats Severe Malnutrition: RUTF is specifically used for treating severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and wasting in children aged 6 to 59 months without medical complications.
Effective Community-Based Care: Its convenience and safety allow for effective home-based treatment, significantly increasing treatment coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
High Recovery Rates: Clinical studies and program reports demonstrate that RUTF therapy can achieve recovery rates of over 90% in uncomplicated SAM cases.
Overcomes Challenges: The diet overcomes logistical hurdles of traditional therapeutic feeding, such as lack of safe water, refrigeration, and hospital access.
Ongoing Innovation: Research is exploring alternative, locally-sourced ingredients and enhancements to address cost and improve long-term gut health.

Understanding the RUTF Diet

The RUTF diet utilizes Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, a nutrient-dense paste developed as a simple, safe, and effective treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Designed for community-based care, RUTF requires no cooking or water, making it ideal for areas lacking clean water or healthcare. This innovation allows caregivers to treat malnourished children at home, a significant shift from previous hospital-only care.

The Composition and Nutritional Power of RUTF

RUTF is a fortified paste, often peanut-based like Plumpy'Nut®, formulated according to World Health Organization standards. It provides a concentrated source of energy and essential micronutrients.

Key ingredients typically include:

Milk Powder: Provides high-quality protein.
Peanut Paste: Delivers energy, protein, and fats.
Vegetable Oil: Adds to energy density.
Sugar: Increases energy and palatability.
Vitamin and Mineral Mix: Corrects micronutrient deficiencies.

Its low moisture content gives RUTF a shelf life of up to two years without refrigeration. The texture is suitable for infants with weakened digestive systems.

The Impact and Application of the RUTF Diet

RUTF has transformed SAM treatment through Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM). It enables outpatient care, relieving pressure on hospitals and families. UNICEF plays a major role in procuring and distributing RUTF globally.

Benefits include:

High Recovery Rates: Over 90% in uncomplicated SAM cases.
Logistical Advantages: Long shelf life and no refrigeration simplify distribution.
Empowering Communities: Home-based treatment expands access to care.

RUTF vs. Traditional Therapeutic Feeding

Comparing RUTF to older methods highlights its advantages.


Feature	Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)	Traditional Therapeutic Milk (F-100)
Form	Soft paste or biscuit	Liquid formula
Preparation	No preparation needed	Requires mixing with safe water
Safety/Contamination	Low risk due to low moisture	Higher risk from water or hygiene
Administration	Can be given at home	Requires supervised, typically hospital-based administration
Shelf Life	Up to two years	Short once prepared, needs refrigeration
Cost-Effectiveness	Reduces hospitalization costs through home care	More expensive due to facility needs

Considerations and Future Directions

Challenges remain, such as the cost of ingredients, driving research into cheaper, local alternatives. Sustainable RUTF programs need strong supply chains and local production. Future innovations aim to improve the formula and integrate RUTF with broader nutritional policies to address root causes.

Conclusion: A Lifeline in a Packet

The RUTF diet is a critical tool against severe acute malnutrition. Its safety, effectiveness, and ease of use allow treatment in communities, moving beyond centralized hospitals. High success rates and logistical benefits make RUTF essential for humanitarian efforts. As RUTF evolves, its fundamental role in providing life-saving nutrition in a simple package will continue to be vital globally.

For further information on malnutrition management, resources are available from the WHO.

Frequently Asked Questions

RUTF stands for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, a life-saving, energy-dense food used to treat severe acute malnutrition.

RUTF is a paste that comes in a sachet and is designed to be eaten directly from the packet, supervised by a caregiver.

The primary purpose is to help malnourished children rapidly gain weight and recover from severe acute malnutrition by providing a high-energy, nutrient-fortified food.

RUTF is more advantageous because it does not require water, is not prone to bacterial contamination, and can be administered at home, significantly expanding access to care.

While primarily developed for children, RUTF has been successfully used to treat severe malnutrition in adults as well.

Treatment for severe acute malnutrition with RUTF generally takes 6 to 8 weeks, with regular follow-ups to monitor progress.

The cost of standard RUTF can be high due to ingredients like imported milk powder, but local production initiatives using regional ingredients are being explored to reduce costs and improve sustainability.