Acceptability of Multiple Micronutrient-Fortified Bouillon Cubes among Women and Their Households in 2 Districts in The Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundBouillon is a promising large-scale food fortification vehicle, but there is uncertainty regarding the types and concentrations of micronutrients that are feasible to add without compromising consumer acceptability. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of 2 different multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cube formulations, compared with a bouillon cube fortified with iodine only. MethodsWe conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled acceptability study in 2 districts in northern Ghana. Two nonproprietary, noncommercialized formulations of multiple micronutrient-fortified bouillon cubes containing iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamins A and B12, and iodine at “upper-level” (45-125% CODEX NRV/2.5g) or “lower-level” (15-50% CODEX NRV/2.5g) concentrations, and a control cube that contained iodine only (50% CODEX NRV/2.5g) were evaluated. Eligible women (n = 84) were invited to participate in 1) center-based sensory evaluations designed to permit within-individual comparisons among the different study products; and 2) in-home evaluation of bouillon acceptability and use, in which participants were randomized to receive 1 of the 3 study products to use in household cooking for a 2-wk period. Acceptance test ratings were based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = dislike very much, 5 = like very much). ResultsIn the center-based evaluations, overall liking of the 3 bouillon cube formulations both dry and in prepared dishes ranged from 4.3 to 4.6 on the 5-point Likert scale and did not differ among formulations (P > 0.05). After the 2-wk in-home trial, 93.8% of index participants (n = 75/80) rated their overall liking of the bouillon product formulation to which they were randomly assigned as “like” or “like very much” (4–5 on the 5-point Likert scale) and median apparent intake of study-provided bouillon over 2 wk was 3.6 g/capita/d; neither value differed by study group (P = 0.91 for both). ConclusionsAll 3 formulations of bouillon cubes assessed were acceptable to women and their households in 2 districts in northern Ghana.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05177614.