User:Mr. Ibrahem/Therapeutic food

Therapeutic food, sold under the brand name Plumpy'Nut among others, is food primarily used for severe acute malnutrition in children 6 month to 5 years of age. It may also be used in adults with malnutrition. It comes as a paste or biscuit and can be eaten as is. Use can often take place at home. It is effective in more than 90% of cases.

Each package contains about 500 calories along with micronutrients. The typical recommended dose in children is 150-220 kcal/kg/day until recovery. It is typically made from peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins, and minerals. Other possible ingredients include chickpeas or soybeans. vitamins A, D, and E are at higher then usually recommended levels to address potential deficiencies. Contamination by Salmonella and aflatoxin should be prevented.

Therapeutic food was developed in the late 1990s by André Briend with commercial distribution starting in the 2000s. It was given to more than 5 million children in 2022 and has prevented million of deaths. UNICEF distributes more than 75% of therapeutic food, with others involved including Ministries of Health and other non-governmental organizations. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. The cost of 150 units of 92 grams is about 40 to 60 USD as of 2022. It can keep for at least two years and dose not require refrigeration.