Reader Becky B. in California wrote to ask about a do-it-yourself recipe for the shelf-stable peanut-butter based ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) that was developed in Africa in the 1990s. It has saved many thousands of lives in starvation zones. It is sold commercially packaged in sachets under the brand name Plumpy’Nut [1]. Note: For the best nutrition its is best to buy the commercially-made product.
I found a Public Domain practical home-style recipe (approximate and for household use only.) It is is as follows:
Ingredients (yields ~750–900 g; ~3,500–4,500 kcal)
- 500 g roasted, unsalted peanuts (skin removed if possible)
- 150–200 g full-fat milk powder
- 150–200 g powdered sugar or smooth honey (honey will make texture softer and increase microbial risk for infants <12 months)
- 150–200 g vegetable oil (peanut oil, sunflower, or canola)
- 10–15 g fine salt
- Optional: 1–2 tsp vanilla or cocoa for flavor
- Micronutrient step (see below)
Preparation Method:
- Grind peanuts in a food processor until they form a smooth peanut butter paste. (Stop and scrape frequently). Add oil gradually to reach a thick, spreadable paste.
- With the processor running, add milk powder and sugar a little at a time until evenly incorporated and the texture resembles commercial RUTF.
- Add salt and flavoring; blend briefly.
- If using a vitamin/mineral premix (see next paragraph), incorporate it last, mixing thoroughly for even distribution.
- Spoon into airtight containers, press out air, and store in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration extends shelf life but is not necessary.
Notes of Micronutrients and Safety:
- Commercial RUTF contains a carefully formulated micronutrient premix. Replicating that at home is difficult. If the paste is for occasional supplementary use, adding a general children’s multivitamin dissolved and mixed into batches is a pragmatic partial measure (use only products designed for oral use and check dosing).
- For emergency or therapeutic needs, health programs use WHO/UNICEF-recommended formulations. In clinical malnutrition, precise micronutrient dosing is essential; homemade substitutes risk under- or over-supplementation (iron excess, for example, can be harmful).
- Ensure peanuts are well-roasted to reduce aflatoxin and microbial risk; source peanuts from reputable suppliers.
- Avoid honey for children under 12 months (botulism risk).
- Maintain low moisture and clean utensils to minimize microbial growth. Discard if smell, color, or texture changes.
- For emergency or therapeutic needs, health programs use WHO/UNICEF-recommended formulations. In clinical malnutrition, precise micronutrient dosing is essential; homemade substitutes risk under- or over-supplementation (iron excess, for example, can be harmful).
- Ensure peanuts are well-roasted to reduce aflatoxin and microbial risk; source peanuts from reputable suppliers.
- Avoid honey for children under 12 months (botulism risk).
- Maintain low moisture and clean utensils to minimize microbial growth. Discard if smell, color, or texture changes.
Estimated nutrition (approximate):
- Energy: ~450–550 kcal per 100 g depending on oil/sugar ratios.
- Protein: ~10–15 g per 100 g (from peanuts and milk powder).
- Fat: ~30–40 g per 100 g.
These are approximations; commercial Plumpy’Nut targets ~525–550 kcal/100 g with a specific micronutrient profile.
When homemade RUTF is appropriate:
- Short-term emergency supplement when no commercial RUTF is available and no clinical treatment option exists.
- Household calorie-dense snack for older children or adults (not for therapeutic management of SAM without professional oversight).
- Demonstrations, training, or pilot community projects where clinical supply chains are absent — but always paired with clinical referral when treating SAM.
When to use commercial/therapeutic RUTF instead:
- Treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under five — requires clinically produced, quality-controlled RUTF and medical supervision.
- Any programmatic or long-term therapeutic use — commercial RUTFs are formulated, tested, and packaged to meet WHO/UNICEF standards.