How ready-to-use therapeutic food shapes a new technological regime to treat child malnutrition

Since the turn of the 21st century ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) has emerged as the preferred solution to treat acute malnutrition without complications. RUTF is a more appropriate technology than formerly prevalent powdered milk solutions because it enables outpatient care, simpler treatment protocols and production in the field. In this paper we analyze the forces driving the diffusion of RUTF as an innovation to treat child malnutrition and discuss the main features characterizing the new technological regime that results from its wide adoption. We combine the theoretical discussion and the review of secondary sources with insights from field research in Ethiopia, encompassing personal interviews with relevant parties and direct observation of how RUTF works in practice. This technology assessment exercise enables us to suggest some opportunities for policy intervention.

► We examine the invention and diffusion of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF).
► RUTF leads to a new technological regime to treat child malnutrition.
► RUTF enables outpatient care and local production.
► RUTF is a more appropriate technology than former solutions.