Plumpy'Nut is used as a treatment for emergency malnutrition cases. It supports rapid weight gain derived from broad nutrient intake which can alleviate a starving child from impending illness or death in a starving child.<ref name=AJCN/> The product is easy for children to eat because it dispenses readily from a durable, tear-open package. The fortified peanut butter-like paste contains [[vegetable oil|fats]], [[dietary fiber]], [[carbohydrate]]s, [[protein]]s (as essential [[nutrient#Types|macronutrients]]), vitamins and minerals (as essential [[micronutrient]]s). Peanut butter itself is a rich source of [[vitamin E]] (45% of the [[Daily Value]], DV, in a 100-gram amount) and [[B vitamins]] (particularly [[Niacin (nutrient)|niacin]] at 67% DV).<ref>{{cite web|title=Nutrition facts for peanut butter, smooth style, without salt, USDA Nutrient Database SR-21 |publisher = Conde Nast|website=nutritiondata.com| url=http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4453/2|date=2014|access-date=3 May 2014}}</ref>
Plumpy'Nut has a two-year shelf life and requires no water, preparation, or refrigeration.<ref name=off/> Its ease of use has made mass treatment of malnutrition in [[famine]] situations more efficient than in the past.<ref name=nyt/><ref name=bbc1>
