UN-WFP endorses DOST's ‘Momsie’

Momsie, a ready- to- eat supplementary food, has received endorsement from the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP) for distribution in times of emergencies and disasters.

The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) developed Momsie in response to the need for food that can be eaten without cooking or heating, particularly during disasters and calamities.

FNRI has been developing other readyto-eat foods, among them instant noodles fortified with squash, instant cream soups, and compressed food bars.

Momsie is made from monggo, soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, oil, skimmed milk, margarine, cocoa, sugar, salt, and emulsifier.

FNRI said Momsie has enough nutrients and protein to prevent malnutrition during disasters.

"It will be part of the food packs to be distributed during emergencies," assured Dr. Martin Parreño, WFP national program officer, during the 2014 Dr. Juan Salcedo Memorial Lecture, a nutrition forum hosted annually by the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (NFP) and supported by the Philippine Council for Health Research (PCHRD-DOST).

For its supplementary food program against acute malnutrition in the Philippines, WFP is currently importing foodstuff from France.

FNRI figures state that 25 grams of Momsie, which has a 12-month shelf life, may cost 10 per sachet and 100 per bottle of 300 grams—a cheaper choice over imported brands.