GOVT BANS ‘REPLENISH’ BABY FOOD OVER ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS

DAILY MONITOR

The Ministry of Health has suspended the use of a therapeutic baby food brand, REPLENISH, following reports of adverse effects among the children. The product is manufactured in Uganda.

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Health ministry, in a January 7 letter to all chief administrative officers, said they have launched investigations into the matter.

“The Ministry of Health (MoH) has received reports from health facilities indicating adverse reactions in children following the use of REPLENISH, a brand of ready- to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) that is procured and distributed by the National Medical Stores (NMS),’’ the letter reads.

“In light of these developments, the MoH, in collaboration with the National Drug Authority (NDA) and National Medical Stores (NMS), has initiated investigations to determine the cause of these adverse effects.

While these investigations are ongoing, and as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the affected population, we hereby request for immediate suspension of the use of REPLENISH (RUTF) in all health facilities within your jurisdiction,’’ the letter reads further.

“Any other concerns may be reported to the Asst. Commissioner Health Services/Nutrition, Telephone-0772-491551, Email: snamukoseb@yahoo.com,’’ she advised.

Commenting about the suspension, Ms Sheilla Nduhukire, the NMS spokesperson, said the product is manufactured in Uganda and “has been successfully used for some time.”

“We are currently monitoring for any additional reported cases as National Drug Authority (NDA) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) conduct tests on the product to determine if there are any public safety concerns,’’ she added.

The NDA spokesperson, Mr Abiaz Rwamwiri, last evening disclosed that some of the said reported side effects include severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Why RUTF
According to Unicef, one of the leading procurers of the RUTF, the product is a life-saving essential supply item that treats severe wasting in children under five years old.

Wasting, a problem in Ugandan communities, is defined as low weight-for-height and happens when someone has not had enough food or food of adequate quality.

If not appropriately treated, wasting in children is associated with a higher risk of death. RUTF paste was invented by pediatric nutritionist André Briend and food processing engineer Michel Lescanne 25 years ago, and became commercially available in the early 2000s.

It is made from powdered milk, peanuts, butter, vegetable oil, sugar, and a mix of vitamins and minerals.

500 calories

According to Unicef, one RUTF sachet combines 500 calories and micronutrients that have high nutritional value allowing malnourished children to gain weight quickly.

The product, which has a two-year shelf life, makes it convenient to pre-position in a warehouse and has appealing taste and easy digestibility, according to the UN agency

2023/2024 Report

According to the 2023/2024 Annual Health Sector Performance report released by the Ministry of Health early last week, of the 7.8 million children under the age of five years in Uganda, stunting stands at 26 percent (about 2.04m), wasting is at 2.9 percent (about 228,584), underweight 9.7 percent (too thin for age), while prevalence of obesity among children under five years is at 3.4 percent (about 267,995).

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