Sensory Panel Results of a Dried Fish Powder Supplement among Caregivers and Young Children in Zambia

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the acceptability of traditional Zambian dishes fortified with Complementary Food for Africa+Dried Fish Powder (ComFA+Fish), a locally sourced protein/micronutrient blend designed to impact nutrient deficiencies among infants and young children (IYC) and improve pregnancy and birth outcomes among women of reproductive age (WRA). Design: During two sensory panels, caregivers evaluated 1) the acceptability of four ComFA+Fish dishes for household consumption, including fortified chibwabwa fisashi, savory Kapenta chutney, fortified complementary maize porridge, and fortified bean-vegetable soup; and 2) whether their IYC found the fortified complementary maize porridge acceptable. Setting: Lake Kariba, Southern Province, Zambia. Participants: Women of reproductive age (N=42) and their IYC aged 6-11 months (n=16) and 12-23 months (n=26) were recruited from fishing villages in Gwembe, Siavonga, and Sinazongwe District. Results: A majority of caregivers extremely liked/liked the: 1) fortified chibwabwa fisashi’s sensory attributes (94.7%) convenience (92.8%) and overall acceptability (100%); 2) savory Kapenta chutney’s sensory attributes (81.8%), convenience (92.8%) and overall acceptability (100%); 3) fortified complementary porridge’s sensory attributes (83.5%), convenience (90.5%) and overall acceptability (88.1%); and 4) fortified bean-vegetable soup’s sensory attributes (66.8%), convenience (87.5%) and overall acceptability (87.5%). Further, a majority of caregivers evaluated the fortified complementary porridge as highly acceptable to their IYC. Conclusions: Results suggest that ComFA+Fish is strategically well-placed to fill nutritional gaps among IYC and WRA in Zambia and has the potential to be scaled across sub-Saharan Africa