doctors without borders: nutrition

Tef production in the Ethiopian Highlands. Tef is a reliable cereal for an unreliable climate. Its straw, (left) is as important to the farmer as is its grain (pile at right). (International Livestock Centre for Africa)

The franchising system: the ideal answer to quality local production

The franchising system seemed to be the best to set up the “plumpy’nut in the field” network: it is based on the transfer of Nutriset’s know-how (production, management and distribution) to a local, independent producer known as “Franchisee”.

Plumpy’nut development should be carried out through local producers, with a general approach based on Nutriset’s basic principles:
- Assurance of the quality of the local product
- Professional ethics of the local partner in his dealings with the humanitarian world
- Awareness and adherence to the good use of locally available plumpy
- Producer’s strong commitment to make plumpy available

The relationship between Nutriset and the local producers is the guarantee for users to directly find similar plumpy in the countries covered, with a constant and validated level of quality.  The non respect of these following commitments can lead to the termination of the franchising agreement. In addition, the committee of franchisees will also make sure that the basic principles mentioned above are adopted and followed.

Contact the local producers:

  Project Peanut Butter, Malawi
 Hilina Enriched Foods, Ethiopie
 STA, Niger
 Jongea, République Démocratique du Congo

The product was inspired by the popular Nutella spread. It is manufactured by Nutriset, a French company, that specializes in making food supplements for relief work in their factory near Rouen in northern France. The ingredients are: peanut paste, vegetable oil, milk powder, powdered sugar, vitamins and minerals, combined in a foil pouch. Each pack provides 500 Kcal or 2.1 MJ. ^[1].

Plumpy'nut is a high protein and high energy peanut-based paste in a foil wrapper. It tastes slightly sweeter than peanut butter. It is categorized by the WHO as a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).