By Dhel Nazario
An enhanced version of the 1970's Nutribun is being formulated by the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), called the enhanced Nutribun (E-Nutribun), responding to the need of the masses for healthy bread.
(PHOTO VIA DHEL NAZARIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
This was done after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2020 – Guidelines in the Implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program during community quarantine or other similar emergencies. The circular specifically stated the provision of Nutribun to the supplementary feeding program of the DSWD.
According to the post on DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena's page, the first reformulated E-Nutribun consisted of bread flour, squash puree, sugar, skim milk, shortening, salt, bread improver and yeast. It is also formulated with micro-nutrients, particularly iron and vitamin A.
The agency said that four different formulations were tested with varying quantities of ingredients. The buns produced were subjected to sensory evaluation among DOST-FNRI skeleton force employees. The highest ranking formulation, in terms of general acceptability, appearance, texture and taste was used in the standardization runs.
Three days of independent runs were conducted to determine repeatability of process and products. Formal sensory evaluation followed. The products produced on the last run were submitted to the FNRI Service Laboratory for microbiological and chemical analysis.
The DOST-FNRI will continue to improve the formulation such that it will also provide zinc, folic acid and calcium needed by school age children. The next larger scale run will be conducted in a real bakery for time and motion and formal shelf-life studies, including consumer acceptability testing among the target population. Preliminary study is expected to be completed by July.
"The mechanism of implementation and roll-out of the technology and product will be through our technology transfer protocol. The DOST will also promote the technology through our DOST regional offices and the existing technology adopters of DOST-FNRI’s "yellow pandesal" throughout the country," the agency said.
"The DOST may also provide assistance through our Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) by upgrading their facilities and linking to potential markets in the region," it added.