Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: Call for examples and good practices on investments for healthy food systems

Proponent

Tetra Laval Food for Development Office

Katarina Eriksson, Senior Project and Partnership Development Manager

Date/Timeframe and location

Project name:  From powder to liquid improving food safety – Development of  ready-to-drink Bienestarina®

Timeframe: Starting with product development trials in 2008, first aseptic (UHT) packages reached children in school feeding programme in October 2010.

Location: Colombia

Main responsible entity

ICBF – Colombian Institute of Family Well-Being

Nutrition context

Bienestarina® is a dietary supplement produced by the ICBF since 1976 and delivered to the beneficiaries of the Family Welfare programmes and the most vulnerable in Colombia. Bienestarina® can be consumed from the age of 6 months.

Bienestarina® is made with fortified wheat flour, milk, cornstarch, soy flour and vitamins and minerals. The product was initially a powder product to be mixed with water, but is since 2010 also available as a ready-to-drink product, aseptically packed in 200 ml UHT portion packages. Product development started in 2008.

A 200 ml portion of Bienestarina® gives 170 calories and a large share of the daily need for a number of vitamins and minerals (Protein 40%, Vitamin A 90%, Vitamin C 70%, Calcium 60%, Iron 25%, Folic Acid 80%, Vitamin B²  90%,  Vitamin B¹  75%,  Vitamin B¹² 100%, Vitamin B6 100%,  Zinc 100%, and Niacin 90%).

Key characteristics of the food system(s) considered

Bienestarina® is produced from locally produced milk and cereals. The government is promoting nutrition through the ICBF programmes and is since 1976 distributing Bienestarina® free of charge through thousands of distribution points.

Bienestarina® is also distributed to school children through school feeding and pre-school programmes. The local dairy industry is since 2010 engaged in processing and packaging the ready-to-drink version in Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200ml. Slim packages. Aseptic packages (UHT) do not need refrigeration for transport and storage and have a shelf life of 6-12 months.

This is an example of a government funded feeding programme that improves nutrition at the same time as it creates demand for and develops local food production and industry.  

Key characteristics of the investment made

  • Product development to develop the powder form of the nutrition product Bienestarina® (ICBF)
  • Product development to develop the ready-to-drink, portion packed version of Bienestarina®. The ready-to-drink version was developed in new flavors and the product is now available in vanilla, cinnamon and strawberry flavors. (Tetra Pak)
  • Government subsidies for free distribution of Bienestarina® to children, pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable people.
  • Tetra Pak and Tetra Laval Food for Development provided technical assistance in school feeding best practices and implementation.

Key actors and stakeholders involved (including through south-south/triangular exchanges, if any)

  • ICBF
  • Tetra Pak
  • Tetra Laval Food for Development Office
  • Dairy processing companies in Colombia

Key changes (intended and unintended) as a result of the investment/s

  • The idea behind the development of the ready-to-drink version of Bienestarina® was to make it easier and safer to distribute the nutrition product, also in areas with a lack of refrigeration and access to clean water. It was also a way to secure that the nutrition product was used the way it was intended – as a nutrition supplement to improve the diet of children and vulnerable people.
  • The ready-to-drink version has also been introduced as a commercial product available in supermarkets and food stores.

Challenges faced

  • Several product trials were made before the perfect liquid formulation was established.

Lessons/Key messages

  • The distribution of safe food and nutrition can pose many challenges in rural areas, where inadequate infrastructure and potable water are concerns.
  • Developing public-private partnerships are key to building sustainable value chains which prioritize local production. 
  • World-class technology and knowledge sharing are essential to ensure that the children in Colombia have access to safe nutrition. 
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