Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 09 September 2022

The Nutribun of the 1970s was a bread borne out of good intentions. It was designed as a convenient “ready-to-eat complete meal” for public elementary school feeding programs to combat child malnutrition. Last 29 July 2020, the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) conducted the first-ever online soft launching of “Ang Pagbabalik ng Nutribun” Enhanced Nutribun (e-Nutribun). The e-Nutribun is the enhanced version of the 1970s Nutribun formulated by DOST-FNRI considering the nutrient requirements of children. The e-nutribun is one of the government's response to address hunger and malnutrition.

The Enhanced Nutribun developed by DOST-FNRI is more delicious, more nutritious has a better texture, and is made mainly from squash for better taste. Its texture is softer and weighs 160-165 grams per piece. Each serving of e-nutribun has 504 calories, 17.8 grams of protein, 6.08 milligrams of iron, and 244 micrograms vitamin A. The e-Nutribun is DOST-FNRI’s answer to the call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2020 or the Guidelines in the Implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program during Community Quarantine or Other Similar Emergencies.

The DOST-FNRI has developed a total of three variants of enhanced nutribun. The e-nutribun squash variant was launched last July 2020 followed by e-nutribun carrot variant in April 2021. Both the squash and carrot variants are the immediate response of the Institute to help address the malnutrition problem among children who were not able to have the school-based and community-based feeding programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another new variant of e-nutribun was launched last October 15, 2021-the Enhanced Nutribun sweet potato variant. This new variant is a good source of natural fiber, energy, protein, iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc. It has also zero trans-fatty acids and has no cholesterol. The e-nutribun is intended for young children but can also be enjoyed by other population groups, particularly pregnant and lactating women and senior citizens.

Malnutrition remains a public health problem in the Philippines. The Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program, a newly conceived program by the National Nutrition Council to address malnutrition problems in the country, will be utilizing e-nutribuns to be given to undernourished 6-23 months old children and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women beneficiaries. The e-nutribun will not just benefit the feeding program beneficiaries but also our farmers for additional demand for the raw materials of enhanced nutribun such as squash, carrots, and sweet potato. Currently, there are 151 adoptors of Enhance nutribun nationwide. To make more nutritious, more available and more affordable bread nationwide, the DOST-FNRI calls on more technology adopters to adopt the e-nutribun technology. Support Tutok Kainan! Be an advocate, be a DOST-FNRI adoptor, and conduct research to develop nutritious food products!

ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND

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