The Nutribun, a wheat-based bun, was first introduced to the public in the 1970’s. It was used in public elementary schools as a part of the government’s feeding program. Its main objective was to combat child malnutrition in the country, specifically, the Nutribun aimed to improve protein and energy intake of school children.
The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) developed an enhanced version of the 1970’s Nutribun to cope with the nutritional needs of the children and to address hunger. A certain enhancement of the nutritious bread was done to supplement children’s need in micronutrients, energy, and protein requirements.
The Enhanced Nutribun was reformulated by DOST-FNRI from the original Nutribun to make it more nutritious, delicious and softer bread product. The E-Nutribun contains natural ingredients and has more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A. One of its ingredients is squash, which is rich in Vitamin A, a nutrient that’s lacking in the regular meal of Filipino children.
The utilization of local vegetables as the main ingredients of the E-Nutribun and understanding the nutritional needs of the school children makes the difference in improving the nutritional status and preventing the young school children from being malnourished.
The enhanced version improves the texture of the bun, which is softer. The bun weighs 160-165 grams per piece with each piece consisting of 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron and 244 micrograms vitamin A.
Based on the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), 63.1 percent of children six to nine years old have vitamin A inadequacy, while among children 10 to 12 years old,76.1 percent experience vitamin inadequacy.
DOST Region 10 launched the E-Nutribun last 23 November 2020. For Region 10, at least six firms or food makers have adopted the DOST-FNRI’s E-Nutribun technology, namely:
- Bestfriend Goodies in CDOC
- Manhu – The Life-giving Bread in CDOC
- Bake O’clock of SG Business Ventures Inc in CDOC
- Yum Breadhauz and Food Products in Gingoog City
- Delta Business Ventures in Aloran Misamis Occdental
- D’Hermanos Pizza in Tangub City
The 6 firms or food makers are also the DOST-10’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP) beneficiaries.
The E-Nutribun can also for be given to other population groups, especially the pregnant and lactating women, and older people.
Despite the current situation, this initiative on reformulated version of the nutribun is seen to help ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and cope with the lack of access to food. (PHA John Paul D. Navarro, RPh)
References:
Ducusin, G. B. (2020, October 32). Enhanced-Nutrition: Good for Both Undernourished and Healthy Pinoys. DOST. Retrieved from:https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/67-2020-news/2025-enhanced-nutribun-good-for-both-undernourished-and-healthy-pinoys.html
Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (2020). Enhanced Nutribun launched virtually by DOST-FNRI. Retrieved from:https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-projects/news-and-announcement/792-enhanced-nutribun-launched-virtually-by-dost-fnri
The Good News Pilipinas Team (2020, October 3). Filipino Entrepreneurs Adopt Enhanced Nutribun Technology. Retrieved from:https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/filipino-entrepreneurs-adopt-enhanced-nutribun-technology/
Nazario D. (2020, November 5). Enhanced nutribun technology offered free to entrepreneurs by DOST. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from:https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/05/enhanced-nutribun-technology-offered-free-to-entrepreneurs-by-dost/
