Consumption and social assessment of fortified milk delivered by the National Complementary Feeding Program in Chile

Background: The National Complementary Feeding Program (NCFP) is a universal nutritional intervention in Chile. Objective: To evaluate the consumption and social assessment of iron fortified milk Leche-Purita-Fortificada (R) (LPF) and Leche-Purita-Cereale (R) (LPC) in NCFP's beneficiaries. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional study. A feeding questionnaire was conducted in 544 children aged 11 to 72 months in a representative sample from the Metropolitan and fifth Chilean Regions. The social assessment was evaluated through 11 focus groups. Results: Seventy three % and 69% of beneficiaries consumed LPF and LPC, respectively. The mothers claimed to deliver a median of 60 (45-75) g of LPF and 50 g of LPC (40-75) g, with a dilution of 10 (8-10) % and 10 (10-10) %, respectively. The perceived social value of these foods was positive. Discussion: LPF and LPC were consumed for most beneficiaries and well appreciated by the target population. However, the consumption of these milks can be improved.