RUTF

Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is a high-energy, nutrient-dense paste designed to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children and, in some settings, other age groups. It is a cornerstone of community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) and is intended for use at home or in primary care settings under medical supervision.

Most RUTF formulations are peanut-based and fortified with dried milk or whey, vegetable oil, sugar, and a premix of vitamins and minerals. The product is ready to eat and requires no water for preparation, with a long shelf life that makes it suitable for warm climates. The energy density is high, typically around 5 kcal per gram, enabling rapid, safe weight gain while supporting normal growth.

RUTF is used to treat SAM without complications, often in outpatient or community programs. Treatment is guided by international guidelines, with dosing based on the child’s weight or age; sachets are dispensed for daily consumption and can be combined with continued breastfeeding and other age-appropriate foods. In cases with medical complications or severe edema, higher-level medical care may be required.

Advantages of RUTF include rapid recovery, reduced need for hospitalization, and suitability for low-resource settings. Limitations include potential allergen exposure (peanuts and dairy), cost and supply-chain requirements, and the need for monitoring to ensure adequate intake and to avoid overfeeding. RUTF is not intended as a permanent food source; it is a therapeutic product used for a defined treatment period.

Developed in the 1990s, RUTF became a central component of CMAM programs, with Plumpy'Nut and similar products widely adopted and endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.