F-100 and F-75 (foods)

F-100 and F-75 (also known as Formula 100 and Formula 75) are therapeutic milk products designed to treat severe malnutrition. In 1994, Action Against Hunger/Action Contre la Faim (ACF) pioneered the use of milk formula F-100 for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition. In 1997, a French medical researcher together with the French company Nutriset succeeded in making a nutrient-dense spread for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition. The formula is used in therapeutic feeding centres where children are hospitalized for treatment.[1] Action Against Hunger’s Scientific Committee pioneered the therapeutic milk formula (F-100), now used by all major humanitarian aid organizations to treat acute malnutrition. As a result, the global mortality rate of severely malnourished children under the age of five has been reduced from 25% to 5%.[2] F-100 and other therapeutic nutritional products are widely used by a number of humanitarian aid organizations, such as UNICEF, Action Against Hunger, Concern Worldwide, Valid International, and Médecins Sans Frontières, when treating severe malnutrition among vulnerable populations.

F-75 is considered the "starter" formula, and F-100 the "catch-up" formula.[3] The designations mean that the product contains respectively 75 and 100 kcals per 100 ml. Both are very high in energy, fat, and protein, and provide a large amount of nutrients. Ingredients include concentrated milk powder, food oil (sometimes grease), and dextrin vitamin complexes. The formulas may be prepared by mixing with the local water supply.[4] Sometimes Plumpy'nut is substituted for F-100. F-75 may be cereal-based in place of milk.[4] F-75 provides 75 kcal and 0.9 g protein per 100 mL, while F-100 provides 100 kcal and 2.9 g protein.[5] There are other variants like Low Lactose F-75 and Lactose Free F-75, which are used in case of persistent diarrhoea in severe acute malnutrition.