For years, the country had been battling malnutrition tirelessly. It then realized that the need for combined efforts must be made from the top to bottom and vice versa approach to secure the implementation of the programs. Because of the rising concern, in the early 1970s, Nutribun was formulated out of good intentions to combat child malnutrition. It was first targeted to be deployed in public elementary schools as part of the feeding program, designed to be convenient as it is a ready-to-eat complete meal in a bun. It was not designed solely for undernourished and stunted children, during the tropical storm, Fran struck the Philippines in September of 1970 where they used Nutribun to nourish families affected by the typhoon.
Years later, from the plain Nutribun, DOST-FNRI has now modified the bun to be much tastier and nutritious and named it “Enhanced Nutribun”. The Enhanced Nutribun has more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A. The 1970 version of Nutribun weighs 170 to 190 grams compared to 160 to 165 grams for the enhanced Nutribun which was modified for children to make it easier to hold and bite. The Enhanced Nutribun contains 504 calories, 17.8 grams of protein, 6.08 milligrams of iron, and 244 micrograms of Vitamin A. It has a natural source of fiber, vitamin A and some minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc which is needed by growing children. The bun has a new formulation that is made of red squash and carrots.
The government is investing in the revival of the 1970s Nutribun project as part of the action of the supplementary program to eradicate malnutrition. The product is not made only for undernourished and stunted children but it can also be consumed by a well and healthy individual and other population groups particularly of the pregnant, lactating, and geriatric groups. And so during these community quarantine times of COVID-19, stop bingeing on food that is empty in calories and nutrients. Instead, train yourselves and your children to eat foods that are healthy starting with the nutritious enhanced Nutribun.
NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar
References:
- DOST-6 Revives ‘Nutribun’ to Address Malnutrition
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1123753
- Enhanced Nutribun launched virtually by DOST-FNRI
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-projects/news-and-announcement/792-enhanced-nutribun-launched-virtually-by-dost-fnri
- Enhanced-Nutribun: Good for both Undernourished and Healthy Pinoys
https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/67-2020-news/2025-enhanced-nutribun-good-for-both-undernourished-and-healthy-pinoys.html
- A History of the Nutribun, the Well-Intentioned Bread from the ‘70s
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/nutribun-history-a1623-20180921-lfrm