Clinical Study
A double-blinded randomised controlled trial (NCT03256123) involved 651 rural primary-school children (aged 8–12) with vitamin A deficiency. Biscuits were given 4 days a week for 6 months.
FOOD INNOVATION
REDMUNCH × MPOB TT681.
Red Palm Olein enriched biscuits — innovation based on Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) technology.
MPOB TT681 Technology
Functional biscuits that use Red Palm Olein (red palm oil) as a natural source of carotenes (pro-vitamin A), vitamin E, phytosterols, squalene and CoQ10.
Developed by an MPOB team (Radhika Loganathan, Teng Kim-Tiu, Tan Pei Yee, Kanga Rani Selvaduray). The technology is optimised to retain more than 80% of carotenes over an 18-month shelf life through suitable formulation, processing and packaging.
Flavours: Vanilla, Vanilla Oat, Chocolate, Chocolate Oat.
Nutrition (approx. per ~217 kcal serving): Protein ~4.5–4.6 g, Carbohydrate ~23–23.6 g, Fat ~11.8–12.5 g. Aligned with the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines.
Clinical Evidence & Benefits
Key Results
Significant increases in α- and β-carotenes, retinol, iron status, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH. Reduced microcytic anemia by ~21.8% and inflammation. Additional benefits versus regular palm olein.
Use
Suited as a healthy snack or supplementary food to address vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition in children, as well as an everyday nutrition choice.
REDMUNCH
REDMUNCH is an innovation brand linked to this technology reference. Trademark TM2024030916 was filed. Public references appear in Utusan coverage and the HDC Halal Homegrown platform.
Technical and clinical information comes from the official MPOB TT681 document and related publications (European Journal of Nutrition 2024). For technology licensing or commercial production, contact MPOB (tot@mpob.gov.my) or MY HAIZ.
Why Red Palm Olein?
Red palm olein preserves natural carotenes that are sensitive to heat and light. MPOB developed a process to retain these nutrients in the final product without affecting oxidative or microbial stability.
Economic analysis (assumed 600,000 packs a year) shows low raw-material cost (~RM0.43/pack) and a viable selling price (~RM1.85), with a high IRR and a short payback period.
TECHNOLOGYMPOB TT681 (June 2022)
TRIAL651 children, 6 months
BRANDREDMUNCH (TM2024030916)
SOURCEtot.mpob.gov.my + Utusan
