The UN agency’s support for lipid-based nutrients to solve a problem that affects more than 900,000 children is questioned in India. Various groups complain that the solution benefits certain economic interests. The Welfare Society for Destitute Children promotes a different approach in many Maharashtra villages, namely working with the poorest families on their “eating behaviour, while promoting healthy eating habits.”
AsiaNews (Mumbai) – The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is promoting the large-scale use of Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) to counter malnutrition in children, but for many advocacy groups in India this is not the right path to tackle the problem.
More than 920,000 children in the country are acutely malnourished. UNICEF is urging countries like India to buy SQ-LNS, food supplements made with legume paste, dried fruit, powdered milk with the addition of mineral salts and micronutrients for children aged 6 to 24 months.
For critics, this is a shortcut that will not solve the underlying issue, poverty, and obscures a major conflict of interest involving food companies.
In fact, the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) recently spoke out against the direct involvement of a manufacturer, French-based Nutriset, in the tests conducted by the UN agency on the nutritional efficacy of these supplements.
But beyond the economic aspect, the matter raises several questions about how this type of intervention interacts with cultural factors such as local eating habits and food acceptance.
“We are involved in the fight against malnutrition in Murbad, a subdivision of Thane district that has over 90 villages," and “we are working on eating behaviour, while promoting healthy eating habits,” said Brother Joseph Sebastian, secretary and trustee of the Welfare Society for Destitute Children, which runs the St Catherine of Siena School and Orphanage in Bandra West, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
"In remote rural areas, our social workers are currently promoting activities with 150 families who are enrolled in our ‘Fight malnutrition’ programme. We encourage women and children to undergo regular check-ups,” Fr Joseph explained.
"We explain that when the food they consume is not nutritious, it is important to switch to nutritious food that is high in protein, iron and minerals, but in line with their traditional eating habits.”
This means that while food supplements can be important, they should be used only where they are really needed.
Last but not least, Brother Joseph notes that his society provides services free of charge, without discrimination of caste or creed, according to the vision and mission laid down by its founder, the late Father Anthony Elenjimittam.