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The decision to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of high-energy biscuits meant for starving children has sparked debates about the sustainability of food aid programs.

These fortified biscuits, designed to provide quick nutrition in emergencies, were intended for countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan but were incinerated due to expiration in a Dubai warehouse.

This incident, tied to the Trump administration’s foreign aid policies, highlights deeper issues with relying on food aid like biscuits for struggling nations.

While such aid offers immediate relief, it’s not a sustainable solution and can harm countries in the long run.

The Recent Trump Administration Action on Biscuits

In July 2025, reports surfaced that the Trump administration ordered the destruction of 496 metric tons of high-energy biscuits stored in a Dubai warehouse.

These biscuits, valued at approximately $800,000, were purchased during the Biden administration for distribution by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The biscuits remained undistributed and expired on July 16, 2025.

A State Department spokesperson commented on the situation, stating, “The expired lot was acquired under the last administration, and purchased as a contingency for needs beyond projections, resulting in the inability to deplete before expiration.” This quote reflects the administration’s reasoning that the biscuits were part of an overstocked contingency plan, though critics argue the halt in aid distribution led to this waste.

The biscuits could have fed an estimated 1.5 million children for one week, a significant loss for countries facing severe malnutrition. Other nations, such as Sudan, Syria, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, could have also benefited from the biscuits, as some aid officials suggested redirecting them to crisis zones like Sudan, where war has fueled a severe famine.

Why Sending Biscuits Isn’t Sustainable

While high-energy biscuits are a critical tool for emergency relief, they are not a long-term solution for food security.

According to UNICEF, “Fortified Biscuits are biscuits high in energy, protein, and micronutrients designed for immediate nutrition, general food distribution, school feeding, and use in emergencies.” UNICEF Supply Division.

These biscuits are meant as a stopgap measure for people displaced by natural disasters or conflict, where cooking facilities are unavailable. However, relying on such aid can create several problems for recipient countries:

1. Dependency on Foreign Aid: Sending biscuits fosters reliance on external support, discouraging countries from developing their own food production systems. Over time, this can weaken local economies and agricultural sectors, as communities may depend on aid rather than building self-sufficient food supplies.
2. Economic Harm to Local Markets: Flooding a country with free food aid can disrupt local farmers and markets. When biscuits are distributed, local producers may struggle to sell their crops, leading to reduced income and economic instability. This can perpetuate poverty and hinder long-term development.
3. Lack of Nutritional Diversity: While fortified biscuits provide quick calories and nutrients, they don’t offer the balanced diet needed for sustained health. Relying on biscuits can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time, especially in children who need varied diets for proper growth.
4. Environmental Impact: Transporting large quantities of biscuits across the globe generates significant carbon emissions. Additionally, producing and disposing of these biscuits, as seen in the recent incineration, creates waste and environmental strain, undermining sustainability goals.

These issues highlight that while biscuits provide immediate relief, they are not a viable long-term strategy for addressing hunger or building resilient communities.

Storage Details: Shelf Life, Duration, and Warehouse Conditions

The high-energy biscuits in question have a shelf life of approximately 24 months when stored under proper conditions, as outlined by UNICEF. They must be kept in a dry, cool environment to maintain their nutritional value, with recommended storage temperatures between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

Source: UNICEF Supply Division

The biscuits destroyed in Dubai were stored in a U.S. government warehouse in the city, though the exact facility name was not disclosed in reports. The average temperature in Dubai warehouses is typically maintained around 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) with climate control to prevent spoilage, aligning with UNICEF’s guidelines.

These biscuits were purchased near the end of the Biden administration, likely in late 2024, and had been stored in the Dubai warehouse for approximately six to eight months by the time they expired in July 2025.

The prolonged storage was due to disruptions caused by the Trump administration’s aid freeze and USAID’s dismantling, which halted distribution efforts. USAID staff had warned for months about the impending expiration, but the lack of action led to the biscuits becoming unusable.

Countries Affected by the Biscuit Destruction

The decision to destroy the biscuits directly impacted Afghanistan and Pakistan, the intended recipients.

Afghanistan faces severe child malnutrition, with millions of families displaced due to ongoing conflict.

Pakistan, dealing with its own challenges of poverty and displacement, also relies on such aid to support vulnerable populations. The loss of these biscuits represents a missed opportunity to provide critical nutrition to children in these nations.

Additionally, other countries in crisis, such as Sudan, where war has triggered a severe famine, and Gaza, where food insecurity is rampant, could have benefited from redirected aid but did not receive these biscuits due to the administrative halt.

Three Ways Countries Can Achieve Self-Sustainability

To move away from reliance on food aid like biscuits, countries can adopt strategies to build self-sustainability and ensure long-term food security. Here are three practical approaches:

1. Invest in Local Agriculture: Governments and communities can prioritize small-scale farming by providing farmers with seeds, tools, and training. Programs that teach sustainable farming techniques, such as crop rotation and irrigation, can boost local food production, reducing the need for external aid.
2. Develop Food Processing Infrastructure: Building local facilities to process and preserve food, such as grains or vegetables, can help countries store their own supplies for emergencies. This reduces dependence on imported biscuits and ensures a steady supply of locally produced, nutritious food.
3. Promote Education and Nutrition Programs: Educating communities about nutrition and sustainable food practices can empower them to grow and prepare balanced meals. School feeding programs using locally sourced food can replace biscuits, supporting both children’s health and local farmers.

These strategies require initial investment and international support but can lead to self-reliance, stronger economies, and healthier populations.

Additional Impacts and Considerations

The destruction of the biscuits is part of a larger issue tied to the Trump administration’s foreign aid cuts. In January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order halting nearly all U.S. foreign aid, followed by plans to shut down USAID entirely by September 2025.

Is Sending Biscuits Sustainable for a Country?

In short, no, sending biscuits is not sustainable for any country. While they provide critical short-term relief, biscuits do not address the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, conflict, or lack of infrastructure.

Over-reliance on such aid can trap countries in a cycle of dependency, undermine local economies, and fail to provide the nutritional diversity needed for long-term health.

Sustainable solutions, like those outlined above, focus on empowering countries to produce and manage their own food supplies

The destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of high-energy biscuits in Dubai underscores the challenges of relying on food aid as a long-term solution.

Stored for roughly six to eight months in a U.S. government warehouse in Dubai at controlled temperatures, these biscuits reached their 24-month shelf life.

Moving forward and by addressing the root causes of hunger, nations can build a more resilient and self-sufficient future rather than relying on biscuits.

References:

• UNICEF Supply Division: Fortified Biscuits

Article: Editorial