Dear Mohammed,

Here are the key messages on RUTF that is related to your question:

• Ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) is a food and medicine for severely acute malnourished children only.
• RUTF is the only food acutely malnourished children need to recover during their time in OTP.
• Always give the child RUTF after breastfeeding but before other food, including corn-soy blend
• Sick children often don’t like to eat. Give small amounts of RUTF regularly and encourage the child to eat often until the day’s ration is finished.
• RUTF should never be added to or mixed with porridge or any other food.
• If your child is still breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed. Offer breast milk first before every RUTF feed.

Hope this answers your question.

I don't see anything bad with that, technologically or nutritionally, since the objective is to enhance the taste and/or so that the target can eat the food. So you can add small amount fruit or vegetable to enhance acceptability of RUTF. 

Dear Mohammed, if the child eating RUTF has severe acute malnutrition, then RUTF should not be mixed with any other food, nor should the child eat other food while being treated-except for breastmilk or clean water. Is the child receiving RUTF being treated for severe acute malnutrition?  

Hello Mohammed,

Eating RUTF with other foods may be risky for the child. RUTF is a high-calorie food that can be difficult for children to digest. We prescribe small quantities to mothers to feed their children. However, mixing it with other foods like bread, vegetables, or fruits can increase the risk of adverse reactions and medical conditions.

Additionally, we should counsel mothers or other family members to prioritize breastfeeding. If the child is breastfeeding, they should first be given breastmilk and then RUTF after one hour. Regular food should continue as part of the routine diet. This approach helps add extra calories to the child's diet alongside their regular food.

Hello Mohammed

The severely malnourished child must eat the RUTF ration before other family food is offered, caregiver should  encourage the child to take small amounts frequently during the day.

In line of giving the child the quantity of RUTF daily, is the child taking the ration given and completing all as prescribed..?