Scaling-up biofortified beans high in iron and zinc through the school-feeding program: A sensory acceptance study with schoolchildren from two departments in southwest Colombia.

Joni J S Beintema,Luis F Londoño‐Hernandez,José Restrepo‐Manjarres,Elise F Talsma,Sonia Gallego‐Castillo

doi:10.1002/fsn3.632

Joni J S Beintema, Luis F Londoño‐Hernandez + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.632

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Abstract

Iron and zinc deficiencies are global health problems, affecting mostly pregnant women and young children. In 2016, biofortified iron and zinc beans were introduced in Colombia. The incorporation of biofortified beans into the national school‐feeding program could facilitate adoption and potentially improve the nutritional status of large populations. However, biofortified beans have to be accepted in order to be consumed by populations. We therefore studied the sensory acceptability of two biofortified beans, BIO‐101 and BIO‐107, and local beans at schools with free feeding services in two departments of southwest Colombia. Measured on a five‐point Likert scale, the mean overall scores were 3.88 ± 0.64, 3.79 ± 0.74, and 3.81 ± 0.76, for BIO‐101, BIO‐107, and the local bean varieties, respectively, without significant differences. The children in Piendamó (Cauca) slightly preferred BIO‐107 over the local bean (p < .05) based on color, smell, and taste. The children in Caicedonia (Valle del Cauca) slightly favored the local bean over BIO‐107 (p < .05), regarding size, smell, and taste. Overall acceptability in schoolchildren was good for all beans without significant differences. This study advocates incorporation of accepted biofortified beans in the school‐feeding program, in order to reach large groups of schoolchildren and potentially improve their nutritional statuses.

Highlights

Worldwide, iron and zinc deficiencies are mayor public health problems and they are often associated with the phenomenon “hidden hunger” (Tulchinsky, 2010)
The overall acceptability in schoolchildren was good for all bean varieties without significant differences
The bean size of BIO-107 was significantly lower rated than that of BIO-101 and the local beans, this did not generate significant differences in overall liking between varieties

Summary

Introduction

Iron and zinc deficiencies are mayor public health problems and they are often associated with the phenomenon “hidden hunger” (Tulchinsky, 2010). Hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition that occurs when the intake or absorption of micronutrients is too low to maintain a good health and development and is mainly caused by a combination of poor diet, disease, and increased micronutrient needs (Muthayya et al, 2013). In Colombia, mainly pregnant women and very young children are affected by iron deficiency. Zinc deficits mostly occur in preschoolers, especially in indigenous children with more than half of them being zinc deficient (Fonseca et al, 2011). More children from rural areas suffer from zinc deficiency than children from urban areas (Fonseca et al, 2011).

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