The government is planning to include the new nutribun made with carrots in its national feeding program for young school children.
According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the enhanced variety of nutribun, now made more nutritious, could be distributed to the intended beneficiaries "faster and safer."
The innovative bread product, developed by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), was launched Wednesday, April 28, in a virtual ceremony as part of efforts to help improve the health and nutrition of kids.
"In compliance with the minimum health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the DOST-FNRI food products are also easier to distribute directly to households of preschool and school children to minimize physical contact among large groups of people that is typical in feeding programs and food pack distribution in centers," Nograles said.
Nograles, chair of the government's Zero Hunger Task Force, said the carrot nutribun has been made with "more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A."
"The texture is softer and weighs 160-165 grams per piece, which is easier for children to hold and bite," he said.
"Each serving of Enhanced Nutribun weighing 160-165 grams per piece, has 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron and 244 micrograms vitamin A," he added.
To combat hunger and improve nutrition, the government implements national feeding programs for undernourished children in public daycare, kindergarten, and elementary schools. A food assistance program was also approved for the malnourished kids 6 to 23 months old as well as nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women.
With the launch of the new carrot nutribun, Nograles urged entrepreneurs, prospective technology adopters and other stakeholders to sustain the fight against malnutrition and contribute to the government’s effort to eliminate hunger.
He also welcomed the collaboration between the government and the private sector in providing sustainable solutions to address hunger.
"The particular problem of hunger and malnutrition demands innovative solutions. May this event remind us of the importance of working together as a community, kailangan natin magtulungan (we must help each other) especially towards ending hunger and malnutrition, and ensuring our nation’s growth," he said.