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BP-5 Compact Food facts for kids

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Detailed Comparison NRG-5 BP-5 (Pribyl)
Comparison shot of BP-5 (by Norwegian GC Rieber Compact) and the very similar NRG-5 (by German MSI GmbH).
Distribution of BP-5 Emergency food packages in Goma - from Flickr 2995064256
Distribution of BP-5 emergency food packages by UNICEF in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in November 2008

BP-5 Compact Food (also known as a BP-5 biscuit) is a high-calorie, vitamin fortified, compact, compressed and dry emergency food (food ration bar), often used by relief agencies for the emergency feeding of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Description

BP-5 is available in packs of 2 biscuit bars. Each box of 9 packs contains 500g of food, with approximately 2,300 calories per box. Shelf life is 5 years. The food is produced by Compact AS, based in Norway, and purchased by agencies through UNICEF.

Ingredients

Ingredients include baked wheat flour, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sugar, soy protein concentrate, malt extract, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins.

Usage

BP-5 is used for disaster relief and disaster preparedness, and for emergency food rations in refugee camps, particularly for malnourished children. It is eaten directly, or mixed with water to make a porridge.

Typically, an adult is given 250g per day. Although this is a calorie deficit, it provides the recommended protein and basic vitamin requirements. Because it is easily digestible, neutral tasting, and contains no dairy or meat products the food may be widely used, even for people with severe malnourishment.

One study found that its portability made it susceptible to cheating, and recommended dispensing pre-prepared food instead when practical.

BP-5, along with Plumpy Nut (a peanut-butter supplement) was fed to visitors to a small mobile refugee camp created by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) to travel to major world cities to raise awareness.

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BP-5 Compact Food Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.