The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the department responsible for the coordination of science and technology-related projects, is looking for bakery shop owners and operators who can be potential technology adopters of the ready-to-eat bread called Enhanced Nutribun, also called as e-Nutribun, developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI). Only last 7 September 2020 the e-Nutribun technology was disseminated through a Technology Investment Forum conducted virtually for Eastern Visayas participants.
Engr. Rosemarie Garcia, Chief Science Research Specialist of the DOST-FNRI, shared the features of the newly developed product. Unlike the nutribun in the 1970s and 1980s which was big, heavy, and considerably hard, the e-Nutribun is softer and easy to hold and bite and was formulated to address the daily micronutrients of Filipino children, she mentioned. Additionally, each serving of e-Nutribun weighing 160-165 grams serving size/per piece, has 500 calories, 17 grams protein, 6 milligrams iron, and 244 micrograms vitamin A. The micronutrients of this bread-like Iron and Vitamin A comes from its all-natural ingredients such as whole wheat flour, non-fat dried milk powder soy flour iodized salt.
On the other hand, Ms. Lea Landicho, DOST-FNRI Science Research Analyst, guided the online audience on the Protocol on Technology Transfer and Commercialization of FNRI. She mentioned that after a letter of request has been forwarded, a consultative meeting shall be facilitated with documents ready to include company profile, DTI Certificate of Registration of Business Name, SEC Registration, or Mayor’s Permit to Operate a Business. Accordingly, due to the pandemic brought by COVID-19, the technical know-how will be shared for free to qualified potential adopters.
In his message, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., motivated the participants to support the opportunity provided by the DOST-FNRI. This technology would not only give employment but will also provide food to the vulnerable sector in the region, he added. Further, Dr. John Glenn Ocana, Leyte Provincial S & T Director and convenor of the project, shared that DOST as a member of the Regional Nutrition Committee is committed to helping the region’s malnutrition problem through new technologies and innovations.
The Enhanced Nutribun and its rebirth were one of the DOST-FNRI’s motivations to the call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (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; likewise, on the Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 2 Series of 2020 entitled Nutrition Cluster Recommendations on Healthful and Nutritious Family Food Packs and Sustainable Food Sources. #NASLabordo
