Use, acceptability, and cost of Incaparina, a commercially processed food in Guatemala

Abstract

Mass-produced fortified foods are widely used in developing countries to prevent malnutrition. To determine current use of, beliefs about, and acceptance of Incaparina, a mass-produced fortified food that was first introduced in the 1960s, 100 Guatemalan caretakers of children 6 to 23 months old in rural and periurban communities were surveyed and group discussions were conducted. Store owners were interviewed to find out how much Incaparina cost, and health-care personnel were interviewed to find out what recommendations they gave to caretakers about feeding Incaparina to young children. Caretakers served Incaparina 13.7 days a month on average; 82% of the children had consumed Incaparina. The percentage of caretakers who gave Incaparina to children under 5 months of age differed according to the community: 41% in rural and 16% in periurban communities. Caretakers reported positive perceptions about Incaparina's taste (100%), smell (95%), and color (71%). Most caretakers thought Incaparina was inexpensive or moderately priced. Health professionals in both communities recommended Incaparina for children; they differed on recommendations for feeding Incaparina during episodes of diarrhea. Widespread and frequent use of Incaparina over a period of nearly 50 years suggests that mass-produced fortified foods can be important vehicles for improving child nutrition in Guatemala and elsewhere.