Emergency and therapeutic foods

Addressing malnutrition with RUTFs and other life-saving nutritional aid

Acute food insecurity affects 345 million people worldwide – a figure that has more than doubled since 2019.1 To address this growing global hunger crisis, urgent humanitarian action is needed.

Emergency and therapeutic foods like ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) provide quick and reliable access to vital nourishment for those in need – especially children. These convenient, high-energy foods are made with macro- and micronutrient blends designed to tackle malnutrition without complications in children and other vulnerable individuals.2,3

Spotlight on emergency and therapeutic foods

Therapeutic foods support people in emergency situations, malnourished children and those with special nutritional requirements,1 playing a key role in advancing community management of malnutrition in various humanitarian emergencies.2

Lipid Nutrient Supplements (LNS)

encompass RUTFs and RUSFs, offering comprehensive nutritional profiles, excellent shelf life, resistance to spoilage, convenience and appealing taste.

Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs)

are used in clinical and home settings to address severe acute malnutrition, containing ingredients like peanuts, oil, sugar, milk powder, vitamins and minerals.4

Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSFs)

help prevent and treat moderate to acute malnutrition at home. RUSFs come in daily dose sachets and are often made with cereals, oils, milk powder and more.5

Plumpy'Nut

is an example of the RUTFs that revolutionized the treatment of serve acute malnutrition among infants and children since the early 2000s.6,7

Together delivering nutritional aid at scale

Since 2007, we’ve partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to help over 35 million people worldwide.1 We co-created or improved ten nutritional products that are used globally in WFP operations, including Micronutrient Powders (MNP), RUSFs, RUTFs, High-Energy Biscuits (HEBs), fortified date bars, Super Cereal (CSB) and Super Cereal Plus (CSB++)​.

image-emergency-therapeutic-1.jpg
Solutions that don’t compromise on quality

Quality is key, especially when working with vulnerable populations under crisis conditions. You can rely on our top-quality micronutrients and blends to develop cost-effective nutritional solutions that truly make a lasting positive impact. Our ingredients are safe, reliable and traceable, helping you meet even the most stringent industry standards and technical specifications.

Premix Solutions

Our carefully researched and fully customizable blends of functional ingredients support convenient and efficient food fortification with a single, homogenous product.

Together, let's reach more vulnerable populations with nutritional aid solutions

Discover how we can drive effective and efficient emergency and therapeutic food initiatives that make a real difference to those in need.
Related articles
  • Nourishing children, transforming lives: An interview with GCNF's Arlene Mitchell on International School Meals Day
    Nourishing children, transforming lives: An interview with GCNF's Arlene Mitchell on International School Meals Day

    Arlene Mitchell of GCNF shares insights on the impact and importance of school meal programs worldwide on International School Meals Day.

  • Highlights from the Micronutrient Forum 2023
    Highlights from the Micronutrient Forum 2023

    Explore key takeaways from the Micronutrient Forum 2023 Global Conference, including solutions to strengthen food systems and combat malnutrition.

  • Raising awareness to end hidden hunger
    Raising awareness to end hidden hunger

    Impact Song sheds light on hidden hunger to remind us all how vital affordable nutrition is. Let's lift our voices in harmony, taking action so all may thrive.

References

[1] World Food Programme, WFP Global Operational Response Plan: Update #8 - June 2023, [website], 2023. Click here to learn more about the Global Operational Response Plan. 

[2] dsm-firmenich, Micronutrient blends for emergency and therapeutic foods, 2022.

[3] UNICEF, Explainer: A wonder ‘food’ for the world’s children. Accessed on 18 May 2023.

[4] BioAnalyt, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) – What Are They and What Can iCheck Do?, 2020.

[5] dsm-firmenich, DSM and the World Food Programme partner to improve nutrition around the world, [website], 2023, DSM and the World Food Programme partner to improve nutrition around the world..

[6] World Food Programme, Technical Specifications for Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food RUSF, 2021.  

[7] Greiner T., The advantages, disadvantages and risks of ready-to-use foods – Breastfeeding Briefs 56/57, IBFAN, 2014, 56/57.