USAID Food Aid Quality Review Phase II: Technical Report No.11

The contract, known as the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) Phase II, aimed to improve the quality of Title II food aid commodities and programming. The FAQR is part of a series of activities aimed at enhancing product choice under Title II of Public Law 480, improving quality control and assurance, and updating technical guidance and the evidence base for programming approaches. The FAQR Phase II activities include advancing the evidence base through production and testing of improved food products, their packaging and delivery methods, and comparative studies of products' nutritional effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The work of the FAQR Phase II continues to address three areas of focus: products, programs, and processes. Specific areas of concentration include the development of specifications for updated Fortified Blended Foods, including Corn Soy Blend 14, as well as milled flours, enhanced vegetable oil, and micronutrient premixes. The FAQR Phase II also focuses on strengthening the evidence base for food assistance programming through expert consultations and workshops on key topics and issues with representatives of the various Title II implementing agencies and other stakeholders. Multiple activities are being undertaken, including the review of food programming guidance provided to Title II implementing agencies and a review of the data collected from Title II implementing agencies as part of required reporting. The FAQR Phase II is also conducting field studies in Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new food aid products in preventing moderate wasting, stunting, and promoting adequate growth in children. The studies aim to provide evidence for the development of new food aid products and programming approaches. During the quarter of April 1, 2014, to June 30, 2014, the FAQR team continued to receive and monitor results of the accelerated shelf life and stability studies of Corn Soy Whey Blend, Super Cereal Plus, Corn Soy Blend Plus, Ready to Use Supplementary Food, and fortified vegetable oil. The team added endline analysis of three minerals and vitamin C as well as the addition of fortified vegetable oil to the protocol. The 26-week analysis of the Corn Soy Whey Blends, Super Cereal Plus, and Corn Soy Blend Plus are complete, and the final analysis of Ready to Use Supplementary Food and fortified vegetable oil will be complete in October 2014. The FAQR team also updated the product rollout report and is expanding this report to help design a framework to streamline future product introduction. The team will communicate with key players, USAID, USDA, WFP, and suppliers, in the rollout process, and interview them about their roles in relevant aspects of new product introduction, updating, and rollout. The team worked with USAID/FFP to develop and adapt two templates for future product introduction and rollout, including a streamlined specifications template for food aid products and an updated New Commodity Proposal document.