Nutrition supplements fail to help famine-hit babies: Study

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Babies and toddlers at risk of malnutrition weren't helped by special energy-dense food supplements given along with normal food aid, according to a new study on Tuesday.

Humanitarian groups usually provide staples, like grains and beans, to help families facing food shortages.

But some groups wondered if specially-formulated supplements could help more kids stave off malnutrition.

These "ready-to-use supplementary food" products, often with a peanut butter-base, are already used as an extra boost of calories, fats and nutrients to help get malnourished kids back on track.