Peer-reviewed article
Acceptability trial of local Indonesian snack (SISTIK) enriched with chicken liver and eggshell powder as a potential food to increase micronutrient intakes among women of reproductive age.
Yenni Zuhairini, Aghnia Husnayiani Suryanto, Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani, Mohammad Brachim Anshari, Haidar Rizqi et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tested whether a local Indonesian snack called 'sistik' enriched with chicken liver and eggshell powder could be acceptable as a daily food to improve micronutrient intake in women of reproductive age. Eighty-one non-pregnant women aged 19-35 in Indonesia tried both the enriched crackers and standard crackers, and then consumed one type for 14 days. The enriched crackers were well-liked and consumed at similar rates to standard crackers, suggesting they could work as a practical way to address micronutrient deficiencies that harm infant health.
Key points
- Micronutrient-enriched crackers (sistik) were formulated with chicken liver (providing iron, zinc, vitamin A, and B vitamins) and powdered eggshells (calcium source)
- Women rated the enriched crackers similarly to standard crackers across colour, smell, flavour, and texture on a 7-point scale
- Average daily consumption over 14 days was comparable between enriched crackers (50.8g) and standard crackers (51.0g)
- No significant differences in liking scores were found between the two products (p-value > 0.05)
- The study was designed as a safety and feasibility check before testing the intervention with pregnant and lactating women
Limitations
This study only evaluated acceptability and consumption in non-pregnant women, not pregnant or lactating populations. The trial did not measure actual micronutrient intake or health outcomes, so the effectiveness of the enriched crackers in reducing deficiencies or improving infant health remains unproven.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic micronutrient deficiencies in Indonesian women and young children contribute to poor foetal and infant growth. To address this, we formulated micronutrient-enriched crackers (MEC) incorporating nutrient-rich chicken liver, rich in iron, zinc, vitamin A, and B vitamins, along with powdered eggshells as a calcium source. Known locally as ' sistik,' MEC may provide a sustainable solution to improve micronutrient intakes. This study evaluated MEC acceptability among non-pregnant women of reproductive age to ensure safety and feasibility before extending future research to pregnant and lactating populations. METHODS: A single-blinded, two-phase acceptability trial involved 81 non-pregnant women aged 19-35 years in Ujung Berung Sub-district, Bandung City, Indonesia. In Phase 1, participants sampled both MEC and standard wheat crackers (SWC) in a test feeding session and rated each product using a 7-point cued facial response scale, evaluating colour, smell, flavour, and texture. In Phase 2, participants were randomly assigned to receive a 14-day home supply (75 g/day) of either MEC (n=41) or SWC (n=40). Adherence was determined by weighing unconsumed products. Data were analysed using mixed linear model for liking scores and a t-test for adherence. RESULTS: MEC received favourable ratings, with no significant differences compared to SWC in liking scores for colour (MEC 4.5±1.2 vs. SWC 5.4±0.9), smell (MEC 4.9±1.5 vs. SWC 5.6±0.9), flavour (MEC 4.9±1.4 vs. SWC 5.6±0.9), and texture (MEC 5.4±1.0 vs. SWC 5.7±0.8); p-value > 0.05. Average daily consumption over 14 days was comparable between groups (MEC: 50.8±23.0 g vs. SWC: 51.0±20.0 g; mean difference: -0.2 g; 95% CI: -6.5 to 6.1; p-value = 0.802). CONCLUSIONS: MEC demonstrates reasonable acceptability and feasibility as a daily snack, supporting its potential as a dietary intervention to improve women's micronutrient intake and reduce infant stunting, especially among those women who found it appealing. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04564222, 25 th September 2020).