The government has a new weapon in its arsenal against hunger, a new Enhanced Nutribun (E-Nutribun) made with one of nature’s healthiest crops: carrots.
According to Zero Hunger Task Force chief and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, “the Enhanced Nutribun carrot variant has more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A. The texture is softer and weighs 160- 165 grams per piece, which is easier for children to hold and bite.”
“Each serving of Enhanced Nutribun weighing 160-165 grams per piece, has 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron and 244 micrograms vitamin A,” pointed out the Palace official, who led the virtual launch of the newest iteration of the e-Nutribun.
Joining Nograles at the virtual launch were DOST officials Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, Usec. Rowena Guevara, and Usec. Renato Solidum. Also with them were DepEd Dir. Lope Santos III, FNRI Dir. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, DSWD Dir. Wilma Naviamos, NNC Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, FNRI Deputy Director Dr. Anthony Calibo, and former FNRI Dir. Dr. Mario Capanzana.
Representing the private sector at the launch were Racky Doctor from Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation, Hannia Tan from Ruben’s Bakeshop, and Nenita Tan from Bestfriend Goodies.
Nograles explained that one of the advantages of the E-Nutribun is that it can be distributed to its intended beneficiaries faster and safer.
“In compliance with the minimum health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the DOST-FNRI food products are also easier to distribute directly to households of preschool and school children to minimize physical contact among large groups of people that is typical in feeding programs and food pack distribution in centers,” said the former legislator.
Nograles stressed that the launch of the new carrot variant of e-Nutribun also serves as a call “to all entrepreneurs, prospective technology adopters and other stakeholders to continue the fight against malnutrition and contribute to the government’s effort on zero hunger.”
“It is a welcome relief to see how we can work together solving hunger and providing sustainable solutions not as individuals, nor of a specific sector, but as a “whole of society—this is the very concept of the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement, which is the collaboration of government and non-government actors and players,” added Nograles.
“The particular problem of hunger and malnutrition demands innovative solutions. May this event remind us of the importance of working together as a community, kailangan natin magtulungan, especially towards ending hunger and malnutrition, and ensuring our nation’s growth.”
The virtual launch of the new carrot-based E-Nutribun follows less than a year after the first online soft launching of the E-Nutribun made with squash.
The e-Nutribun is an enhanced version of the 1970s Nutribun that has been formulated by the DOST-FNRI factoring in the current nutrient requirements of children.
