Cereal based foods
What are weaning foods ? When are they needed ?
Weaning is the process of progressively developing a diet for infants and young children from one based on breast milk or infant formula to one covering a wide range of textures and tastes. This weaning period usually starts sometime between 4 to 6 months of age.
At this stage infants undergo a period of rapid growth and diet is crucial. Nutrition in the early years of life is indeed a major determinant of growth and development and also influences adult health. Paediatricians and nutritionists have established specific nutritional recommendations to meet these specific needs.
Weaning takes place in stages and manufacturers must provide a range of products from those used in the early stage when fairly bland and smooth foods are fed from a spoon to foods which are more robust both in texture and taste. Weaning foods must be available in a variety of forms to match individual preferences and family eating habits.
There is a wide range of commercial weaning foods available such as those indicated below. They all have special formulations. Some are sold dried and need reconstituting, others are sold ready to eat. Meat, vegetables and fruit are major ingredients. Some are based on cereals, some on pasta. There are biscuits, rusks, "main meals", desserts and drinks among others.
The main categories are :
- Ready to eat baby foods: Prepared recipes, cooked and sterilised, normally sold in cans and jars. Among others, this wide category includes baby meals and fruit - and vegetable - based foods.
- Dried baby foods: There is a similar range of dried foods, i.e. prepared to recipes, cooked and dried, which require mixing with water or milk before feeding.
- Cereal based weaning foods: Usually sold dried and ready for reconstitution. Based on pre-cooked cereals with the addition of other ingredients such as meat, vegetables or fruit. They are often reconstituted with milk. However some are prepared with an added high protein food such as milk and are reconstituted with a non-protein containing liquid such as water.
- Pasta: Available in different shapes they are used after cooking in boiling water or other appropriate liquid.
- Biscuits and rusks: Used directly in the dried form or after adding water or milk.
- Milk based desserts: Such as those based on yogurt, as a raw material.
- Toddler drinks: Special formulations of cow's milk or soya extracts. These have been developed to match the specific nutritional needs of young children over one year of age.
- Other drinks: Fruit, vegetable and herbal drinks containing controlled amounts of sugar.
Advantages and characteristics
As well as being a convenient way of feeding babies, commercial weaning foods are specially adapted to provide babies with an introduction to the texture of adult foods using an appropriate, fully nutritious and balanced diet. Inappropriate use of adult foods may result in low intake of some nutrients e.g. iron and fat or an excess of some others such as salt and fibre.
Manufacturers recognise the concerns of parents in terms of hygiene and safety of the products and following the recommendations made by Health Authorities, they are proud to meet these concerns with a range of nutritious and safe foods that are appropriate to the dietary requirements of a key group of the population.
Weaning foods are labelled with full nutritional information and instructions on use and storage. When appropriate, other information is given, e.g. suitability for vegetarians, absence of gluten.
Manufacturers, health authorities, and health care professionals provide parents with advice on how to offer the best diet for their own baby. Mothers can use commercial weaning foods with complete confidence.
Legislation
Legislation defines the composition of weaning foods. For instance, additives legislation ensures the absence of sweeteners, artificial colours, preservatives, etc.
A European Directive on weaning foods (Commission Directive 96/5/EC of 16 February 1996 on Processed Cereal-Based Foods and Baby foods for infants and young children and amended by Directive 98/36/EC) is based on scientific recommendations. The Directive provides for sodium, carbohydrate, fat and protein levels and defines which nutrients such as vitamins and minerals may or should be added. In addition, an amendment 98/36/EC complete this Directive by imposing very strict levels for pesticide residues and thereby strengthens he already existing quality standards.
FACTS & FIGURES
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About 5% of turnover is invested in research:the food industry average is 1% |
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The annual turnover of the European dietetic foods sector (including exports) is around €24bn |
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The dietetic foods sector is a world leader:each year, exports total around €8bn |
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