Household production and energy content of infant flours for children aged 6 to 11 months in two rural settings in southern Benin

Carmelle Mizéhoun-Adissoda (1) , Charles Sossa (2) , Hermance Houngbo (3) , Gabin Assogba Assanhou (4) , Aubierge Flénon (5) , Elom Kouassivi Aglago (6) , Doniella Tossou (7)
(1) School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences/University of Abomey-Calavi (FSS/UAC), 01 BP 188, Cotonou , Benin
(2) Department of Health Promotion, Regional Institute of Public Health IRSP/UAC, 01 BP 384 Ouidah , Benin
(3) Laboratory of Food Sciences, School of Nutrition and Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, FSA/UAC , Benin
(4) Laboratory of Galenic Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. FSS/UAC, 01 BP 188 Cotonou , Benin
(5) Care International Benin/Togo, Lot 51 Patte d'Oie Cadjèhoun - 60 BP 1153. Cotonou , Benin
(6) Laboratory of Food and Nutrition Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kara, Kara , Togo
(7) School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences/University of Abomey-Calavi (FSS/UAC), 01 BP 188, Cotonou , Benin

Abstract

Background: Homemade complementary foods which are prepared from staples by the mothers or caregivers are mostly used in Africa including Benin. These foods are not adequately enriched and hygienic conditions are sometimes poor. Aims: The aim was to describe household production methods of infant flours and to estimate their macronutrient content in Benin. Methods: From August to October 2020, 20 mothers of children aged 6 to 11 months were selected in the municipalities of Covè and Djakotomey to examine the process of domestic production of infant flours and porridges. Data were collected using a touch screen questionnaire and the energy content of the flours produced by the mothers was calculated and evaluated using the FAO/INFOODS food composition table for West Africa. Results: The main process units for the production of the infant flours were milling:100%, sorting: cereals 60% and legumes: 33%, roasting: cereals 70%, and legumes: 91.7%. Mothers had poor hygienic practices regarding Material: 20%, Manipulator: 20%, and Milieu: 35% during the preparation of infant porridges. Four of the 20 formulas produced had an acceptable energy content, two had a standard fat content (10 - 25 g/100 g flour) and 12 had a standard protein content (15 g/100 g flour). Conclusions: This study showed that the main production methods of infant flours need to be improved. More, the overall energy content from these flours was lower than the recommended macronutrients contents by the standard FAO/WHO/UNICEF and the standards references. It is therefore important to maintain and strengthen nutritional interventions in order to improve the nutritional quality of homemade infant flours.

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Authors

Carmelle Mizéhoun-Adissoda
carmelle.mizehoun@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Charles Sossa
Hermance Houngbo
Gabin Assogba Assanhou
Aubierge Flénon
Elom Kouassivi Aglago
Doniella Tossou
Mizéhoun-Adissoda, C. ., Sossa, C. ., Houngbo, H. ., Assanhou, G. A. ., Flénon, A. ., Aglago, E. K. ., & Tossou, D. . (2022). Household production and energy content of infant flours for children aged 6 to 11 months in two rural settings in southern Benin. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 6(13), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.6.13.75-80

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