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Advantages of Sprinkles
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Sprinkles can provide the daily dose of micronutrients to each child
regardless of the quantity of complementary food that is fed.
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Essential micronutrients such as vitamins A, C and D, folic acid,
iodine and zinc can be added to the sachets to prevent and treat micronutrient deficiencies and improve overall nutritional status.
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Lipid encapsulation of the iron prevents its interaction with food and
masks its taste, thus there are minimal changes to the taste, colour or
texture of the food to which Sprinkles are added. Encapsulation may also
reduce gastrointestinal discomfort and interaction of iron with other
nutrients.
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The sachets are easy to use and convenient. No special measuring
utensils or handling is required and they can be given at any mealtime
during the day. One does not have to be literate to learn how to use them.
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The use of Sprinkles does not require any change in food practices as it
can be mixed with home-made foods. They do not conflict with breast-feeding
and can help promote the timely transition from exclusive breast-feeding to
complementary foods at 6 months of age as recommended by the WHO.
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Sprinkles are a food-based rather than a medical intervention and thus
can be easily incorporated into the busy rhythm of everyday life.
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The potential for overdose is unlikely because numerous individual
packages would have to be opened and ingested for this to occur (an infant
would need to consume many packages (approximately 20) to reach toxicity
levels).
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The sachets are lightweight and thus are simple to store, transport and
distribute. Sprinkles have a long shelf-life, even in hot conditions (2
years).
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The cost of Sprinkles is not excessive (approximately US$0.035 per sachet
depending on volume produced and site of production). The packaging of
Sprinkles is attractive and thus is easily accepted.
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