As a precautionary measure, the World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily halted distribution worldwide of a fortified blended food from one of its suppliers as tests continue to establish whether it is linked to outbreaks of illness in East Africa
According to the medical centres and hospital records, three people died and 293 were admitted to health centres in the Karamoja region of Northeast Uganda in March and April after eating Super Cereal, distributed by WFP. The product is used by WFP and partners to prevent malnutrition, especially among women and children.
To date, more than 2,400 food-related laboratory tests were conducted including for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides and microbial contaminants. However, the root cause of the problem has not yet been established.
Communications campaigns were launched to urge any people in Karamoja with remaining stocks to return them. These campaigns included using radio messages, focus group discussions, community dialogues and public discussions with elders and community leaders.
In April 2019, WFP halted the distribution globally of all products from the supplier in question. This involved putting on hold Super Cereal stocks in WFP operations in 25 countries.
In a further precautionary move, on 30 April, WFP ordered all stocks of Super Cereal from the same supplier should be secured in WFP warehouses and storage areas belonging to partners. Samples from the stock will continue to be tested to confirm or rule out any of the preliminary conclusions.
This issue is unprecedented in its implications for WFP’s global supply chain as the food supplies on hold around the world amount to more than 21,000 mt, with an estimated replacement value of US$22mn. WFP has taken extensive preventative action as the health and safety of the people we serve is our foremost concern.
Super Cereal is maize or wheat blended with soya beans, fortified with vitamins and minerals, processed into flour and supplied in 25kg bags and is a critical part of WFP’s efforts to prevent malnutrition and save lives.
