Report Highlights Benefits Of Food Aid On Infants

By Kaeun Yu

American officials reacted Tuesday to a report authored by Tufts University researchers intended to target ways of boosting the effectiveness of U.S. food assistance to babies, older infants, young children and pregnant women.

The report, according to a news release put out by the U.S. Agency for International Development, recommends “reformulating fortified, blended foods; improving composition and use of fortified vegetable oil; improving fortified cereals used in general food distributions; using ready-to-use products when appropriate; and modifying USAID processes and guidance given to implementing partners.”

“While good nutrition throughout life is important, science tells us that it is most critical during the 1,000 day window of opportunity,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“These recommendations will help U.S. agriculture make an even bigger difference in the lives of the almost one billion hungry people around the world,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“This is not just our moral obligation, this is also a national security priority,” said USAID administrator Rajiv Shah.

According to USAID Office of Food for Peace Director Dina Esposito, USAID provided $2 billion in food assistance in 2010, reaching over 55 million people in 46 countries.

Implementation of the report’s recommendations is a topic that will be debated during the International Food Aid and Development Conference, which will be held this June in Kansas City, Mo.