Key Facts
Sprinkles
- Sprinkles—a blend of micronutrients in powder form—have been developed to help prevent and treat iron deficiency among young children and other vulnerable groups when mixed with food.
- All solid or semi-solid foods can be fortified in the home by adding Sprinkles.
- Each packet of Sprinkles contains 12.5 milligrams of iron, 5 milligrams of zinc, 400 micrograms of Vitamin A, 160 micrograms of folic acid, and 30 milligrams of Vitamin C, and provides a daily dose of micronutrients to a child, regardless of the quantity of complementary food consumed.
- The content and types of micronutrients included in the Sprinkles can be modified according to the needs of specific populations.
- The sachets are lightweight and simple to store, transport, and distribute. Sprinkles have a long shelf-life (two years), even in hot conditions.
- Sprinkles do not require special measuring utensils or handling and they can be given with any meal. Since they are a food-based rather than a medical intervention, Sprinkles can be easily incorporated into the busy rhythm of everyday life.
- The cost of Sprinkles is not excessive (3-5 cents or less per packet).
- Sprinkles were developed by Stanley Zlotkin, professor of nutrition at the University of Toronto and founder of the Sprinkles Global Health Initiative.
Source: Sprinkles Global Health Initiative, www.sghi.org