Lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) are effective for treating childhood wasting and for preventing stunting, wasting, and anemia, but large-scale production and programmatic use are a barrier. Locally-developed and produced LNS may be more affordable and reduce logistical procurement and importation hurdles, while promoting private sector engagement and partnership.
n northwestern Bangladesh, we conducted a community-based trial of complementary food supplementation to test its efficacy to reduce childhood stunting. Two locally-developed, small-quantity LNS (20g/day, rice-lentil and chick-pea based) were designed, developed first at small scale in the ‘kitchen’ laboratory under controlled conditions, followed by taking them to a local food manufacturer for larger production for the study. We describe here the partnership, required expertise and capacity, experiences, and lessons learned that made this uniquely complex undertaking possible.