Health officials and other Food experts have urged parents to prioritize Byeffe enriched porridge flour while feeding newborns and young children to ensure good health, brain development and strong immunity.
This was revealed by Rose Khainza Okello the Senior Agriculture Officer for Mbale District, during the launch of the "Byeffe Tutubisa Campaign" held today Friday at Mbale Central Market in Mbale City.
Khainza said Byeffe is a locally made, highly nutritious porridge flour made from a mixture of soya beans, pumpkin seeds,maize, millet, groundnuts, silver fish (mukene) and other nutritious ingredients, aimed at Brain, Energy , Immune Boosting and Nourishing Every Generation.
"Many mothers are feeding their children on plain maize flour which has no nutrients. Byeffe porridge has all the needed nutrients for brain growth, energy, and it protects children from diseases. It prevents stunting and malnutrition," Khainza said.
She explained that the campaign "Byeffe Tutubisa campaign" which literally means "Byeffe we have hidden/stored it for value" is targeting mothers, Village Health Teams (VHTs) and health workers to sensitize communities to adopt proper infant feeding.
The campaign comes at a time when Mbale and Bugisu at large is still struggling with high cases of malnutrition among children under 5 years.
Gate Auma one of Mother's who attended the launch thanked the Byeffe Food limited Company for this Social Corporate Responsibility and said they will start using Byeffe porridge for their children.
The porridge is recommended for children from 6 months, pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers.
The Nutrition Focal Person for Mbale District, Wanyenze Bridget Tugume, has decried the poor nutrition status among children in Mbale and Bugisu at large, saying many children are stunted and sickly because of poor feeding.
Wanyenze added that statistics shows over 30% of children under 5 years in the region are malnourished due to mothers feeding them on foods without nutrients.
"Our mothers are feeding children on tea and dry cassava or posho alone. This is dangerous. A child needs a balanced diet for brain development and body growth. Poor nutrition is making our children dull in class and always sick," Wanyenze Bridget Tugume lamented.
Fred Mayanja, a Senior Nutritionist Expert from Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, who also emphasized that the public and mothers must adopt Byeffe Enriched Porridge Flour as a solution to malnutrition.
Mayanja explained that Byeffe is a scientifically formulated flour made from soya, millet, maize, silver fish (mukene), groundnuts, which contains proteins, vitamins and minerals needed for brain, energy and immune boosting.
"As a nutritionist, I recommend Byeffe porridge for children starting from 6 months, pregnant mothers and even adults. It nourishes every generation. It is affordable and locally available, unlike imported foods," Mayanja said.
Fatuma Namutosi the founder and managing Director Byeffe Foods Company limited said that new community campaign dubbed "Tutubisa with Byeffe porridge"aims at give back to the community through appreciation and reward local consumers for supporting their products.
Namutosi stressed that those interested in joining competition are required to buy Byeffe flour from any shop ,cook porridge and win shs100,000/-.
She called on all locals and customers to create video challenge of themselves preparing Byeffe porridge flour and win prizes.
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