(PO15-41-22) Acceptability of Multiple Micronutrient-Fortified Bouillon Cubes Among Women in 2 Districts in the Northern Region of Ghana

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Presenting Author(s)

SK

Sika M. Kumordzie, PhD
– Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States

Co-Author(s)

KW

K. Ryan Wessells, PhD
– University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
EB

Emily R. Becher, BS
– Graduate Student, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
Jennie N. Davis, MS, RDN
– PhD Candidate, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
CA

Charles D. Arnold, M.S.
– Statistician, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
XT

Xiuping Tan, BS
– University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
Stephen A. Vosti, PhD
– Adjunct Professor, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
KA

Katherine P. Adams, PhD
– Assistant Project Scientist, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
MH

Marjorie J. Haskell, PhD
– Associate Research Nutritionist, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
SA

Seth Adu-Afarwuah, PhD
– University of Ghana-Legon, Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana
Reina Engle-Stone, PhD
– Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States

Disclosure(s):

Sika M. Kumordzie, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Jennie N. Davis, MS, RDN: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: To evaluate the acceptability of two different multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cube formulations, compared to an iodine-only fortified bouillon cube.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled study in the Tolon (2 urban, 1 rural cluster) and Kumbungu (1 urban, 1 rural cluster) districts of the Northern region of Ghana (n=84 women). Two formulations of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes containing iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamins A and B12, and iodine at “upper” (45 - 125% of CODEX) or “lower” (15-50% of CODEX) concentrations, and a control cube that contained iodine only (50% of CODEX) were evaluated. Cubes were prepared specifically for this trial and similar to cubes commercially available at the site.

Baseline data included household composition, bouillon use, and bouillon knowledge, attitude and practices. Women subsequently participated in 2 days of center-based sensory testing (acceptance, preference, discrimination); using a randomized crossover design, women evaluated all three formulations of bouillon cubes as both raw cubes and cubes prepared in two common dishes (okra soup and jollof rice). For acceptance testing, the raw cubes and dishes were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1=dislike very much, 5=like very much).

Results: All participants reported using bouillon cubes; 92.9% reported using them at least twice per day. Mean overall liking of the three different raw cubes ranged from 4.3 – 4.5 on the 5-point Likert scale (p = 0.17); approximately 90% of respondents rated the 3 cubes as either “like” (4) or “like very much” (5). There were no differences in the liking of appearance, feel, aroma, or taste among the cubes, although one of the cubes was rated lower for crumble compared to the other cubes (85% vs. ≥ 94%; p = 0.03). There were no differences in overall liking or specific attributes (appearance, color, taste, aftertaste, saltiness) among the 3 cubes when they were used in the 2 dishes.

Conclusions: All three cubes were well-liked by respondents, suggesting that any of the 3 cubes would be acceptable for use in future research to investigate the efficacy of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes for improving micronutrient status.

Funding Sources: Helen Keller International through support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation