Comparison shot of BP-5 (by Norwegian GC Rieber Compact) and the very similar NRG-5 (by German MSI GmbH).
Distribution of BP-5 emergency food packages by UNICEF in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in November 2008

BP-5 Compact Food (also known as a BP-5 biscuit) is a high-calorie, vitamin fortified, compact, compressed and dry emergency food (food ration bar), often used by relief agencies for the emergency feeding of refugees and internally displaced persons.[1]

Description

BP-5 is available in packs of 2 biscuit bars. Each box of 9 packs contains 500g of food, with approximately 2,300 calories per box. Shelf life is 5 years.[1] The food is produced by Compact AS, based in Norway, and purchased by agencies through UNICEF.[1]

Ingredients

Ingredients include baked wheat flour, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sugar, soy protein concentrate, malt extract, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins.[2]

Usage

BP-5 is used for disaster relief and disaster preparedness, and for emergency food rations in refugee camps, particularly for malnourished children. It is eaten directly, or mixed with water to make a porridge.[1]

Typically, an adult is given 250g per day. Although this is a calorie deficit, it provides the recommended protein and basic vitamin requirements. Because it is easily digestible, neutral tasting, and contains no dairy or meat products the food may be widely used, even for people with severe malnourishment.[3]

One study found that its portability made it susceptible to cheating and black-market trade and recommended to switch to "blended foods" as and when practical,[4] blended foods here referring to porridge mixes.

BP-5, along with Plumpy'nut (a peanut-butter supplement) was fed to visitors to a small mobile refugee camp created by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) to travel to major world cities to raise awareness.[5][6]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BP-5 Compact Food.
  1. 1 2 3 4 "Multi-micronutrient Powders for children aged 6-24 months - BP-5". International Nutrition Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ "BP-5 Compact Food". Alertnet. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Fitsum Assafa (August 1997). "The Use of BP-5 Biscuits in Supplementary Feeding Programmes". Field Exchange 2. Field Exchange: 19.
  5. ↑ Heckscher, Melissa (17 October 2008). "Imagine Life in a Refugee Camp". Daily Breeze. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011.
  6. ↑ Matt O'Brien (15 October 2008). "Doctors Without Borders sets up refugee camp to show conditions:San Francisco display to stay through weekend". Contra Costa Times.
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