Health and Fitness

Nitazene: How to Detect This Opioid 40x Stronger Than Fentanyl

Nitazene is an opioid up to 40x more potent than fentanyl. Learn how to detect it with wastewater testing, test strips, and the tools that actually work.

Published

12 months ago

October 18, 2025

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Nitazene: How to Detect This Opioid 40x Stronger Than Fentanyl

If you want to know whether nitazene is in your local drug supply, you don’t need a lab. You need a wastewater sample, a test strip, and 24 hours. That’s the fastest detection workflow available in the US right now, and it was built by a researcher at LSU.

Bikram Subedi, an assistant professor of environmental sciences, developed the first method to comprehensively monitor nitazene in US wastewater. His team tested samples during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in New Orleans and found seven of the nine types of synthetic opioids they were looking for. The data went to the Louisiana Department of Health. Results come back in 24 hours.

Here’s how the detection workflow actually works, what the limits are, and what you can do with the results.

Table of Contents

What Nitazene Is and Why It Changes the Math

Nitazene is a class of synthetic opioids developed in the 1950s by a Swiss chemical company as a potential painkiller. It never reached the market because it was too potent. Depending on the formulation, some nitazenes are up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl and up to 800 times stronger than morphine, according to LSU research. Other estimates put the range at 5 to 43 times fentanyl’s lethality, per the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission.

That potency changes everything about detection. A trace amount can kill. Nitazenes are often laced into counterfeit pills, cocaine, meth, and heroin. In every one of the 45 nitazene-related deaths Bellingcat reviewed in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County for 2023 and 2024, nitazenes were found alongside fentanyl, and usually with a cocktail of other drugs.

Traditional toxicology screens don’t look for nitazenes. Alex Krotulski, director of the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education in Pennsylvania, told Bellingcat that deaths are underreported because most labs don’t test for them. If a lab doesn’t test, the death doesn’t show up in the CDC’s SUDORS system.

Step 1: Wastewater Testing (The Fastest Signal)

Wastewater testing is the only method that gives you a near-real-time picture of what’s circulating in a community. Subedi’s method returns results within 24 hours. That’s fast enough to connect a spike in drug use to a specific event, like a festival or a holiday weekend.

The advantages: it’s comprehensive, non-invasive, and doesn’t require anyone to hand over a sample. His lab is now collecting from wastewater treatment plants at major urban centers across Louisiana to track trends.

What it can’t do: it tells you a drug is present in a population, not who is using it or where exactly it came from. It’s a public health early warning system, not a law enforcement tool.

Step 2: Test Strips and Drug-Checking Services

For individual users, test strips are the practical option. Harm Reduction Ohio is pushing for more drug-checking services, education, and greater accessibility to testing strips and naloxone.

“People are going to use drugs,” said AmandaLynn Reese, the group’s chief program officer. “We don’t know the supply, but those are ways you can engage in your drug use to increase safety and reduce harm.”

The catch: nitazenes are harder to reverse with naloxone than fentanyl. Grey McCallister’s son Lucci Reyes-McCallister, 22, died near Houston after taking a pill labeled as Xanax that contained N-pyrrolidino protonitazene. It took seven rounds of Narcan to try to revive him. Ruthi Clement’s son Hunter, 21, died after taking a nitazene-laced pill branded as Percocet. She gave him two doses of Narcan. It wasn’t enough.

The stronger the nitazene strain, the more resistant it is to the overdose antidote. Test strips tell you what’s there before you take it. Naloxone is the backup, not the first line.

Step 3: Forensic Lab Testing (The Confirmation Layer)

Medical examiners and forensic labs are the slowest but most definitive layer. Harris County in Texas has seen four nitazene-related overdose deaths, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. But nitazenes aren’t in the standard toxicology panel there. Screenings are only ordered “if there is suspected nitazene use and there is no other toxicology to explain the death.”

That’s the gap. The DEA’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System recorded 43 positive nitazene tests in 2019 and almost 2,000 in 2024. By March 2026, more than 8,000 reports had been recorded since 2019. Experts say those numbers are almost certainly an underestimate because many labs can’t test for nitazenes and don’t feed into NFLIS.

Where the Supply Comes From

Most nitazene ads trace back to Chinese suppliers. A Bellingcat investigation with Estonian partner Postimees found more than 1,000 online adverts selling six of the most common nitazene types with worldwide delivery. The ads appeared on LinkedIn, X, TradeFord, TradeKey, IndiaMART, and even an Australian sport fishing forum.

Some of the companies behind those ads match listings on China’s corporate register. Hebei Yingong New Material Technology Co Ltd is one example. Its Alibaba profile listed a salesperson named “Lisa Lau” whose photo was actually of Taiwanese actress Ning Chang. The company’s Chinese site describes it as the successor to Hebei Huanhao Biotechnology, an entity previously sanctioned for advertising fentanyl precursors.

A representative who answered a number listed on Hebei Yingong’s company records said the company dissolved in 2023 and denied selling nitazenes. She also said the company “no longer had such products.”

The US Treasury has sanctioned multiple Chinese companies for nitazene trafficking, including Hanhong Pharmaceutical Technology and Jiangsu Bangdeya New Material Technology. Du Changgen, who owns Hanhong, leads a syndicate accused of manufacturing “ton quantities” of nitazenes and fentanyl.

What the Policy Response Looks Like

Pennsylvania Sen. David McCormick introduced a bill to permanently schedule the entire class of nitazenes as Schedule I drugs. Several nitazene analogues are already temporarily classified that way, but the bill would make it permanent so traffickers can’t tweak the formula to dodge restrictions.

“This isn’t something we can let play out like we let the fentanyl crisis play out,” McCormick said.

The bill has Republican and Democratic cosponsors. A companion bill was introduced in the House in August 2025. McCormick is also cosponsoring bills to increase sanctions on Chinese entities supporting nitazene manufacturing and to expand DHS capacity to detect nitazenes in drug testing.

Ohio has been hit hardest. More than a third of all positive nitazene lab reports nationally from 2019 to 2024 are linked to Ohio. The state recorded four nitazene fatalities in 2020, 90 in 2021, and 200 more between 2022 and 2024. Gov. Mike DeWine issued executive orders to schedule nine nitazenes and legalized testing tools.

“Ohio’s geography has long been a suspected contributing factor,” said Erin Reed, director of RecoveryOhio.

What to Do With This Information

If you’re a public health official, push for wastewater testing in your jurisdiction. Subedi’s method is the fastest way to know what’s circulating before it shows up in death counts.

If you’re a harm reduction worker, prioritize test strips and naloxone access. Test strips tell users what’s in the supply. Naloxone saves lives even when it takes multiple doses.

If you’re a parent or educator, know that nitazenes are in counterfeit pills that look like Xanax, Percocet, and oxycodone. They’re also in cocaine, meth, and heroin. The DEA’s Frank Tarentino put it plainly: “The dealer’s choice becomes a deadly decision.”

The next step: check whether your local health department or harm reduction organization offers drug-checking services. If they don’t, ask why. The tools exist. The testing capacity doesn’t, yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is nitazene and how potent is it?

Nitazene is a class of synthetic opioids developed in the 1950s as a potential painkiller but never approved because it was too potent. Depending on the formulation, some nitazenes are up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl and up to 800 times stronger than morphine, according to LSU research.

Can naloxone reverse a nitazene overdose?

Naloxone can help but may require multiple doses. The stronger the nitazene strain, the more resistant it is to the antidote. In one Texas case, it took seven rounds of Narcan to try to revive a 22-year-old who died from a nitazene-laced pill.

How can communities detect nitazenes?

Wastewater testing developed by LSU’s Bikram Subedi returns results in 24 hours and can detect seven of nine nitazene types. For individuals, test strips from harm reduction organizations can identify the drug before use. Traditional toxicology screens often don’t test for nitazenes.

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Health and Fitness

Best New Watches of 2026: 8 Men’s Health Picks

The best new watches of 2026, according to Men’s Health editors. From $78 Casio to $6,850 TAG Heuer, here are 8 picks worth your wrist.

Published

7 minutes ago

October 16, 2026

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Best New Watches of 2026: 8 Men's Health Picks

The best new watches of 2026 are not the loudest ones. They are smaller, often solar-powered, and priced anywhere from $78 to $6,850. Men’s Health editors spent the year tracking releases from Timex, Casio, Hamilton, and TAG Heuer, and the pattern is clear: vintage inspiration, wearable case sizes, and dials that actually make you look twice.

If you want one watch that works for the gym, the office, and a Saturday night out, you have more good options right now than at any point in the last decade. Here is what stood out, what it costs, and who each piece is actually for.

What Changed In Watch Design This Year

Case sizes shrank. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport dropped from 44mm to 42mm. The Shinola Duck Automatic went from 40mm to 38mm. Hamilton’s Khaki Field Mechanical sits at 36mm. That is not a coincidence. According to Yahoo Shopping, smaller cases and colorful dials are defining the year, and collectors across genders are embracing them.

Color came back too. Blue dials, chocolate-brown sunray finishes, and glacier-textured faces are everywhere. So did solar charging, which now keeps some watches running for up to 180 days on a full charge.

If you also want a device that tracks heart rate and sleep, the line between a traditional watch and a fitness tracker keeps blurring. CNET’s smartwatch testing shows the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 4 now handle hypertension alerts and dual-band GPS. But a mechanical or quartz watch does something a smartwatch cannot: it never needs a charge, and it will still look right in ten years.

8 Best New Watches Of 2026 Worth Your Wrist

1. Timex Marlin Quartz GMT 40mm Leather Strap Watch — $219

This is the one Men’s Health editors are most excited about. Debuted in September 2026 with a chocolate-brown sunray dial, gold-tone markers, and a pop of orange on the GMT hand. The GMT function tracks two time zones at once, which matters if you travel for work or have family abroad. Quick-release spring bars let you swap the leather strap in seconds. The acrylic crystal scratches more easily than sapphire, so treat it with care.

2. North Edge Abyss Solar Dive Watch — $90

A solar-powered dive watch for under $100 is rare. The Abyss runs up to 180 days on a full charge, has a 200-meter water-resistance rating, and wears a glacier-inspired ice-textured dial that looks nothing like the usual black-on-black diver. The mineral crystal is less scratch-resistant than sapphire, but at this price that is a fair trade.

3. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical — $887

Released exclusively in 2026 to mark America’s 250th anniversary, this 36mm piece draws on a navigator’s watch issued to U.S. Air Force crews around 1970. The hand-wound H-50 movement delivers an 80-hour power reserve, so you can wind it Friday and still be accurate Monday. It is a manual movement, which means you wind it yourself. Some guys love that ritual. Others will forget.

4. Casio G-Shock GBXH5600KI-5 — $370

A collaboration with professional surfer Kanoa Igarashi, released in July 2026. Earthy tones, lavender accents, and the classic square G-Shock silhouette. It adds heart-rate monitoring and tide graphs to the usual shock resistance and 200-meter water resistance. Solar-assisted charging and smartphone connectivity round it out. Too sporty for a suit, perfect for everything else.

5. Shinola Duck Automatic — $895

Launched in October 2026, this swaps the original quartz movement for a Miyota 9015 automatic with roughly 42 hours of power reserve. The case shrank to 38mm, and the dial now has a feather-inspired texture. A transparent caseback lets you see the movement. It costs more than the quartz version, and that is the point.

6. TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Sport — $6,850

Unveiled in September with a redesigned 42mm case and a dark blue sunray dial with silver subdials. The in-house TH20-00 automatic chronograph movement gives an 80-hour power reserve. Sapphire caseback, ceramic bezel, redesigned stainless steel bracelet. This is the luxury pick, and it is still relatively large for smaller wrists.

7. Casio MTP-B146D-2AV Dial Day Date Analog — $78

Arrived in the U.S. in July 2026. A stainless steel case, a light-blue dial, and a full day-of-the-week display at the top. The 35mm case and 8mm profile make it disappear under a shirt cuff. No luminous dial features, so it is not a night watch. For the price, nothing else here comes close.

8. Louie Juelen Easy Reader Men’s Quartz Watch

A minimalist analog with an easy-to-read display and quartz movement. No winding, no complicated maintenance. It is the starter watch for someone who wants a classic look without the learning curve.

How To Choose Without Overthinking It

Start with your wrist size. If you are under 7 inches around, stay at 38mm or below. The Hamilton at 36mm and the Casio MTP at 35mm will sit better than the TAG at 42mm.

Then decide what you actually need. If you run, swim, or train, the G-Shock’s heart-rate monitoring and 200-meter water resistance matter more than a leather strap. If you mostly wear a button-down, the Timex Marlin GMT or the Shinola Duck will get more wrist time.

Budget is the last filter, not the first. The $78 Casio and the $90 North Edge both deliver real function. You are not settling by spending less.

One more thing: if you already wear a fitness tracker and love the app ecosystem, check compatibility before you buy. A watch that does not talk to the app you use daily becomes a drawer ornament. Men’s Health’s fitness tracker guide breaks down which devices pair with which platforms.

Adding One To Your Rotation

You do not need eight watches. Pick one that matches your week. If you train four days and wear a suit two, the G-Shock covers the gym and the Timex Marlin GMT covers the rest. If you want a single piece that does both without thinking, the Shinola Duck Automatic at 38mm is the safest bet.

Try it on before you commit. A watch that photographs well can still feel wrong on your wrist. And if you are buying online, check the return window. The best new watches of 2026 are worth the wait, but only if the one you choose actually gets worn.

Frequently Asked Questions (best new watches of 2026)

What is the best affordable new watch of 2026?

The Casio MTP-B146D-2AV at $78 and the North Edge Abyss Solar Dive Watch at $90 are the strongest budget picks. Both offer reliable quartz or solar movements, stainless steel or durable cases, and designs that do not look cheap.

Are smaller watch cases still in style for 2026?

Yes. Case sizes have shrunk across the board. The TAG Heuer Carrera dropped to 42mm, the Shinola Duck to 38mm, and the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical sits at 36mm. Smaller cases are now seen as more wearable and more versatile.

Should I buy a smartwatch or a traditional watch in 2026?

It depends on what you need. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 4 track heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen. Traditional watches never need charging and hold their style longer. Many people own one of each.

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Health and Fitness

Billy Joel Health Update: Why He Can’t Perform or Drive

Billy Joel health update reveals he can’t drive or perform due to normal pressure hydrocephalus. Learn the symptoms, treatments, and what to do if you notice them.

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Admin

Billy Joel Health Update: Why He Can't Perform or Drive

Billy Joel health update: the 77-year-old singer-songwriter told The Hollywood Reporter he cannot drive and does not know when he will perform again. His neurologist compared each show to a concussion. That is not a metaphor. For anyone living with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) or caring for someone who is, Joel’s story is a practical lesson in listening to your brain, asking for the right tests, and adjusting your life without giving up on it.

What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles. The ventricles are the fluid-filled spaces inside your brain. When fluid accumulates, it presses on nearby tissue. The result can be problems with walking, balance, thinking, memory, and bladder control. The Cleveland Clinic lists memory, movement, concentration, and thinking as areas that can be affected. Joel was diagnosed in 2025 after an onstage fall. He later had surgery to implant a shunt, a device that drains excess fluid. He initially refused the procedure, then changed his mind after reading about how it could improve balance and memory. On SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, he said: “I don’t want to lose my marbles. It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt, and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain.” He added that the surgery was a success and he had already noticed improvements in brain function.

How To Spot NPH Symptoms Early

Step 1: Watch your walking pattern. NPH often shows up as a slow, shuffling gait. You might feel like your feet are stuck to the floor. This is different from normal aging stiffness because it gets worse over weeks or months, not years.

Step 2: Track balance problems. Joel said, “My balance isn’t that good.” If you suddenly need to hold walls or furniture to steady yourself, write down when it started. A neurologist will want that timeline.

Step 3: Notice memory changes. Forgetting recent conversations or struggling to follow a plot can be a sign. Joel mentioned that it is hard to tell what is age and what is the condition. That confusion is common. Do not dismiss it.

Step 4: Pay attention to hearing and vision. NPH can affect both. Joel said he lost a little bit of his hearing, though he also attributed that to age and rock and roll. If your hearing drops quickly, get it checked.

Step 5: Watch for bladder urgency. This is one of the classic three symptoms of NPH, along with gait problems and dementia-like changes. If you are suddenly racing to the bathroom, mention it to your doctor.

When To See A Doctor

See a neurologist if you have two or more of these symptoms: shuffling walk, balance loss, memory decline, or new bladder urgency. Do not wait for all three. Joel’s neurologist told him that every show is like getting a concussion. That advice came after tests and imaging. You deserve the same level of investigation. Ask for a brain MRI and a referral to a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders or hydrocephalus.

What A Shunt Can Do

A shunt is a thin tube placed in the brain to drain extra fluid. It is not a cure for everyone, but it can improve symptoms. Joel said the surgery helped his balance and memory. He also said he had to take a series of tests before knowing if he could perform again. That is the reality of NPH: recovery is not linear. Some people improve quickly. Others need adjustments to the shunt settings. Research is still ongoing on who benefits most, but the procedure is well established.

Why Concerts Are So Hard On The Brain

Joel explained why performing is off the table for now: “The volume. Rock ‘n’ roll is loud, man. Rock ‘n’ roll made me deaf already. So it’s the lighting, the sound, the stress of the show, the audience, the energy of the performance. There’s a lot going on when you’re onstage.” For a brain that is already sensitive, that sensory overload is dangerous. His neurologist said each show is like a concussion. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Repeated concussions can cause lasting damage. If your doctor tells you to avoid loud, stressful environments, take it seriously.

Mistakes To Avoid

Do not assume it is just aging. Joel said people worried because “brain disorder” sounds worse than it is. But he also admitted he lost hearing and balance. Downplaying symptoms delays treatment. Do not skip the shunt because you are afraid. Joel initially refused it. After researching, he changed his mind. Do not ignore driving restrictions. Joel said, “I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive.” He is auctioning over 70 of his motorcycles because he cannot ride safely. That is a hard loss, but it protects him and everyone else on the road.

What You Can Do Today

If you or someone you love has NPH, start a symptom diary. Note walking speed, balance, memory lapses, and bathroom trips. Bring it to your next appointment. Ask about a shunt evaluation. Joel said the surgery helped him. Ask your neurologist what tests you need before returning to any high-stimulation activity. And if you are a performer or athlete, talk to your doctor about concussion risks. Joel wants to perform again. He said, “I would like to be able to do that.” But he is waiting for tests. That patience is not weakness. It is how you protect the brain you still have.

For more details on Joel’s health update, read the full interview at Consequence and Entertainment Weekly. You can also find his comments on balance and hearing at Yahoo Lifestyle.

One final thing: Joel said, “I’m fine.” But fine does not mean ignoring a brain condition. It means getting the tests, following the restrictions, and hoping for a comeback. If you notice a shuffling walk or memory changes in yourself, call a doctor this week. The earlier you act, the more options you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?

NPH is a brain condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles, causing problems with walking, balance, memory, thinking, and bladder control. Billy Joel was diagnosed with it in 2025.

Why can’t Billy Joel perform or drive?

His neurologist told him that every performance is like getting a concussion due to the loud volume, lighting, stress, and sensory overload. He is also not allowed to drive because of balance and neurological issues.

What should I do if I notice NPH symptoms?

See a neurologist if you have a shuffling walk, balance loss, memory decline, or new bladder urgency. Ask for a brain MRI and a shunt evaluation. Early treatment can improve symptoms.

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Health and Fitness

Malnutrition Cases Surge 18% in Northeast Nigeria: ICRC Alarm

Malnutrition cases surge 18% at ICRC-supported health facilities in northeast Nigeria. Learn what’s driving it and how to protect your family.

Published

6 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Admin

Malnutrition Cases Surge 18% in Northeast Nigeria: ICRC Alarm

Malnutrition admissions at health facilities supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeast Nigeria jumped by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2026. Six health centres and four hospitals recorded nearly 20,000 cases between January and September, up from roughly 17,000 in the same period last year. The figures, released in an ICRC statement on October 15, 2026, confirm what many mothers in the region already know: food is harder to find, and children are paying the price.

The sharpest rise happened in Mubi, Adamawa State, where malnutrition cases surge by nearly 24 percent. Admissions there climbed from about 4,600 in the first nine months of 2025 to approximately 5,700 in 2026. Young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are the worst affected. Their bodies need more nutrients at exactly the moment those nutrients are hardest to come by.

What Is Driving The Numbers Up

Three forces are working together. First, prolonged armed conflict has disrupted farming and market access across the northeast. Second, climate-related shocks have damaged crops and reduced yields. Third, economic hardship has cut household purchasing power, so families that once bought food now cannot afford it.

The conflict also limits how far farmers can safely travel. Saminu Samiyu Ijaduwa, a farmer, told the ICRC that explosive devices had forced him to farm only a small plot near his home. “Due to the conflict, going one kilometre out of town to farm could be highly risky,” he said. “You might not return!” That single constraint ripples through entire communities. Less land cultivated means less food harvested, higher prices at the market, and smaller portions at home.

At the Mubi Stabilization Centre, mothers bring their children for nutritional assessments and supplementary food. Zulaihatu Mohammed arrived with her six-month-old twin, Huseina. “When I gave birth to them, this one was tiny,” she said. The child had been unwell since birth. Her story is not unusual.

What The ICRC And Nigerian Red Cross Are Doing

Working with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the ICRC supports 15 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals. It also assists more than 200 communities with malnutrition treatment and food-security initiatives.

The interventions go beyond emergency feeding. Farmers receive crop varieties suited to drought and flooding. Communities are encouraged to diversify what they plant. Mothers are trained to prepare nutritious meals from ingredients already available in their markets and farms.

One of the most practical tools is Tom Brown, a locally prepared nutritional blend made from sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa. It is not a imported product or a expensive supplement. It is food that families can make themselves, using grains and legumes sold in almost every northern market. According to the ICRC, this intervention has helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition. The training component matters as much as the food itself, because mothers can continue preparing the mixture at home long after the programme ends.

Why These Five Ingredients Matter

Sorghum and millet provide energy and are naturally drought-tolerant, which matters in a region where rainfall is unpredictable. Soybeans and groundnuts supply protein and healthy fats, the building blocks a growing child needs. Moringa leaves add vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and iron, at almost no cost because the tree grows widely across northern Nigeria.

When these ingredients are combined correctly and cooked into a smooth blend, they create a nutrient-dense porridge that a young child can eat several times a day. It is not a replacement for breast milk in infants under six months. But for children over six months, and for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, it is a realistic way to add protein, energy and micronutrients to the daily diet.

How To Prepare Tom Brown At Home

You do not need special equipment. Toast equal parts sorghum, millet, soybeans and groundnuts separately in a dry pan until fragrant. Allow them to cool, then mill them together into a fine flour. Add dried moringa leaf powder at the end, roughly one handful for every four cups of flour. Store the blend in a clean, dry container.

To cook, mix a few tablespoons of the flour with a little cold water to form a paste. Stir the paste into boiling water and cook for five to ten minutes until it thickens. Let it cool before feeding a child. You can add a small amount of palm oil or groundnut oil for extra energy. For babies just starting solids, keep the porridge thin. For older children, make it thicker.

Who Should Be Careful

Tom Brown is a food, not a medicine. A child with severe acute malnutrition, visible wasting, swelling of the feet or face, or refusal to eat needs urgent care at a health facility. Do not try to treat severe malnutrition at home. The same applies to pregnant women who are losing weight or feeling weak. They should be assessed by a health worker.

Some children may be allergic to groundnuts or soybeans. Introduce the blend gradually and watch for rashes, vomiting or difficulty breathing. If any of these occur, stop and seek medical help.

What The Wider Picture Shows

The ICRC figures arrive against a worsening national outlook. United Nations analysis cited by the organisation estimates that more than 34 million people in Nigeria will face insufficient food access in 2026, the highest figure in six years. The same analysis lists Nigeria among the world’s hunger hotspots of highest concern, alongside Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Gaza. Roughly 15 years of conflict in the northeast, combined with economic pressures and climate disruptions, have created conditions that no single programme can reverse quickly.

That is why the ICRC says its work aims not only to treat malnutrition but to strengthen community resilience. Treating a child today matters. Helping a family grow and prepare nutritious food tomorrow matters just as much.

Adding Tom Brown To A Nigerian Meal Plan

If you live in a region where these ingredients are affordable, consider making a batch of Tom Brown once a week. Serve it as breakfast or as an evening supplement for young children and nursing mothers. Pair it with whatever protein and vegetables your household can access that day. The goal is not perfection. The goal is one more nutrient-dense meal in a week that may not have many.

For families in northeast Nigeria, the next few months will test that goal. The malnutrition cases surge is not a distant statistic. It is a six-month-old twin in Mubi, a farmer confined to a small plot, and a mother learning to cook with what she has. If you are in a position to help, support organisations working on the ground. If you are feeding a child, start with what is in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tom Brown and how is it used for malnutrition?

Tom Brown is a locally prepared nutritional blend made from sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa. It is cooked into a porridge and given to young children and mothers to add protein, energy and micronutrients. According to the ICRC, it has helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition.

How much did malnutrition cases rise in northeast Nigeria in 2026?

Admissions at ICRC-supported health facilities rose by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2026, from about 17,000 cases in 2025 to nearly 20,000. In Mubi, Adamawa State, the increase was nearly 24 percent.

Can I treat severe malnutrition at home with Tom Brown?

No. Tom Brown is a food, not a treatment for severe acute malnutrition. A child with visible wasting, swelling of the feet or face, or refusal to eat needs urgent care at a health facility. Severe malnutrition requires professional medical treatment.