Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Oct 7:e70128.
doi: 10.1111/mcn.70128. Online ahead of print.

The Use of Home Fortification Products in Humanitarian Settings: A Scoping Review

Jacqueline M Lauer  1   2 , Alexandra DeShaw  1   3 , Isabelle Ward  1 , Davidson H Hamer  2   3   4 , Lindsey M Locks  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

The Use of Home Fortification Products in Humanitarian Settings: A Scoping Review

Jacqueline M Lauer et al. Matern Child Nutr. .

Abstract

Home fortification products (HFPs), including multiple micronutrient powders and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements, are specialized, nutrient-filled products added to foods with the aim of filling critical nutrient gaps. Despite their potential, there is limited documentation of the use of HFPs in humanitarian settings. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the evidence base and feasibility of implementing HFP programming in humanitarian settings specifically among young children 6-59 months of age and pregnant and lactating women. Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL) were searched in December 2024, yielding 70 articles after duplicates were eliminated. Two research assistants independently selected articles that met inclusion criteria and analyzed them thematically. A total of eight studies (six quantitative, one qualitative, and one mixed methods) were included. The limited studies examined indicate that the use of HFPs is more feasible when carried out in the context of ongoing humanitarian programming, including general food distribution, growth monitoring, and behaviour change communication. Adherence and acceptability monitoring, along with sensitization and education efforts, also contributed to successful HFP programming. Hindering the use of HFPs were logistical issues, including delays in obtaining the products, sharing of HFPs across household members, and a lack of trust in both implementers and HFPs. HFPs appeared to have mixed results regarding improving health outcomes, such as growth, anaemia, and morbidities, though effects were difficult to isolate. Overall, this review demonstrates that HFPs are feasible to implement and potentially beneficial; however, more studies, including implementation research and effectiveness trials, are needed to better determine whether and how HFP programming should be implemented in humanitarian settings.

Keywords: crises; emergencies; home fortification products; humanitarian; micronutrient powder; scoping review; small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Arimond, M., M. Zeilani, S. Jungjohann, et al. 2015. “Considerations in Developing Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements for Prevention of Undernutrition: Experience From the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project.” Supplement, Maternal & Child Nutrition 11 Suppl 4: 31–61.
    1. Arksey, H., and L. O'Malley. 2005. “Scoping Studies: Towards a Methodological Framework.” International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8, no. 1: 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616.
    1. Ashorn, U., L. Alho, M. Arimond, et al. 2015. “Malawian Mothers Consider Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements Acceptable for Children Throughout a 1‐Year Intervention, But Deviation From User Recommendations Is Common.” Journal of Nutrition 145, no. 7: 1588–1595. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.114.209593.
    1. de Barros, S. F., and M. A. Cardoso. 2016. “Adherence to and Acceptability of Home Fortification With Vitamins and Minerals in Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Systematic Review.” BMC Public Health 16: 299.
    1. Bilukha, O., C. Howard, C. Wilkinson, S. Bamrah, and F. Husain. 2011. “Effects of Multimicronutrient Home Fortification on Anemia and Growth in Bhutanese Refugee Children.” Food and Nutrition Bulletin 32, no. 3: 264–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/156482651103200312.

LinkOut - more resources