Fatty Acid Optimization of Locally Produced Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods for the Treatment of Acute Malnutrition in Children Using Linear Programming: An Application to India

Background/Objectives: Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) are a common treatment for children under five years diagnosed with acute malnutrition. However, traditional RUTFs are often not locally produced, and costs of the RUTF can be a barrier to access in India and Pakistan. Our goal was to utilize linear programming (LP) to generate a RUTF formulation based on ingredients locally available in India and Pakistan. We also aim to evaluate the effectiveness of LP in generating such a recipe that is also nutrient-optimized to promote neurocognitive recovery. Methods: Linear programming was utilized to generate the RUTF recipe. The recipe was laboratory tested for nutrition content. Results: We demonstrate that the linear programming tool is largely accurate in predict-ing the true nutritional content of the formulation. Furthermore, the generated formula-tion, per 100g, meets many global macronutrient standards for RUTFs while maintaining a predicted cost which is lower than that of industry-standard products. The conducted shelf-life study indicates the viability of the RUTF throughout an accelerated testing peri-od. In addition, the satisfactory consideration of LA and ALA levels provides our RUTF with the potential to address concerns about low DHA levels, and thereby cognitive health, as compared to traditional RUTFs. Conclusions: We use linear programming to generate an affordable and fatty acid opti-mized RUTF based on locally available ingredients. Therefore, this formulation holds immense potential to benefit communities in India and Pakistan facing high levels of child malnutrition.