Farex baby food review

• Iron Enriched – Rich in iron, Farex Baby Cereal contains the necessary amounts of iron to assist in child growth and development. 

• Designed For Months 4+ – Created for young tummies, Farex Baby Cereal is suitable for babies as young as four months old.  

• Ideal First Food – As a ground rice cereal, Farex Baby Cereal has a bland flavor and texture that makes it ideal for helping baby adjust to solids. 

• Simple Preparation – The cereal is easy to prepare, making things easier on mom and saving time.

Baby food ingredients should be any mum’s top concern when searching for new foods to feed their precious little bundle of joy.

You’re trusting that their food will help them develop healthily, and what goes into the food is what will be going into your baby.

So, lets take a look at what is in Farex Baby Rice Cereal.

Farex Baby Rice Cereal Contains:

• Ground Rice
• Sunflower Oil
• Antioxidant (Herb Extract)
• Vitamin C
• Mineral (Iron)
• Traces of Milk, Wheat, Soy

What isn’t in food can be just as important as what goes into it.

A lack of componentsremoves common ingredients, such as unnatural food dyes and unhealthy sugars, from your baby’s diet.

• Added colours
• Added flavours
• Added salt
• Added sugar
• Preservatives
• Egg, Fish, Peanut, or Sesame allergens

The allergen information, both for which allergens are present and which aren’t, is useful for mums with sensitive babies with food allergies.

As for the rest, the simple list of ingredients shows this is a natural, not overly processed product.

It contains beneficial vitamins and the iron that is present is a crucial element for a developing child.

For preparing the cereal, the steps are fairly straight forward.

First, as usual when handling anything that will come in contact with your baby, mum must wash her hands, the bowl and spoon, and anything else that will be coming into contact with the food.

One tablespoon of the cereal is then added to the bowl, with either 2-3 tablespoons of cooled boiled water or mum’s breastmilk – or your baby’s usualmilk formula – stirred in to create a smooth consistency.

You then add more cereal to thicken the mix and quantity based on how much of an appetite your baby has.

While Farex Baby Rice Cereal is produced in New Zealand, several large retailers in Australia carry it as well, including Woolworths, Baby Bunting, and Chemist Warehouse, although it is worth noting that Chemist Warehouse’s online store no longer carries the product.

As far as pricing goes, it’s about what you would expect for the amount in each package.

Coming in a resealable pouch of 125 grams, Farex Baby Rice Cereal ranges from about $2-3 depending on the location you purchase it from.

Competitor brand pricing falls at around this same price range, with similar quality products, so here’s some info on other baby rice cereals you may want to consider:

• Nestle Cerelac Rice Infant Cereal – Nestle Cerelac Rice Infant Cereal contains Bifidus BL to assist your baby’s digestive tract and immune system, and is made with CHE to break down carbohydrates to be easier on small tummies.

Rafferty’s Garden Organic Baby Rice Cereal – Made from organic brown rice and organic sunflower oil, Rafferty’s Garden Organic Baby Rice Cereal is rich in iron and other essential vitamins for early baby development. 

• Gerber Rice Cereal – Packaged in a container free of BPAs, Gerber Rice Cereal is non-GMO and contains no artificial colours or flavours.
  
• Gerber Organic Rice Cereal – Another one of the baby cereals in Gerber’s Single Grain lineup, Gerber Organic Rice Cereal contains much of the same vitamins as the original while being made from organic rice flour and soy lecithin.

Researching the history behind Farex Baby Rice Cereal was a more difficult process than with other brands who make their “about them” sections easily accessible, making this mum wonder if they had something to hide.

While the ForBaby website containing the cereal’s information didn’t have many answers, a link to Wattie’s homepage was helpful in researching the company responsible for Farex.

While Farex was originally produced by Glaxo in 1934, Heinz later obtained the rights and began to produce it along with the other baby goods their Wattie’s brand made.

Wattie’s had begun producing its own baby food in 1958.

They received the Plunket Society’s seal of approval, helping mums to trust that their products were of high quality, and they even collaborated in in 1990 to create their Wattie’s-Plunket Baby Foods.

For such a big name in the baby food world, it’s a bit disappointing how the brand is represented online – the product’s Wikipedia page is entirely outdated and the information it does contain is extremely sparse.

However, while its marketing and representation can be improved, the product itself is of high quality.

Price – 10/10

Ingredients – 10/10

Quality – 9/10

Preparation – 10/10

Brand – 6/10

Woolworths Online

rating of the top 10 Russian and foreign brands with reviews according to KP

Goods for children are always under special quality control. Including food. After all, food for a baby is not only a way to satisfy hunger, but also acquaintance with different tastes and a guarantee of healthy development (1). Today there are many different brands. Among them, we selected the best manufacturers of baby food, based on the reviews of parents and expert opinions.

Rating of the top 5 Russian baby food manufacturers according to KP

There are many popular brands among Russian manufacturers of baby food. Basically, various purees, juices, cereals and dairy products are presented on the market. There are also formulas for babies, but in smaller quantities. The popularity of food is due to high quality and rather low (in comparison with foreign analogues) price.

1. "Agusha"

Agusha is one of the most popular manufacturers of baby food in Russia. The trademark appeared in 1992 and has a wide range of products for children of all ages. Newborns are offered powdered milk formulas, babies from 4 months - a variety of purees, sour-milk products, water, older children - ready-made cereals (both dairy and non-dairy), juices, fruit drinks, compotes and fruit bars for a snack.

Thanks to the availability and variety of products, the manufacturer is confidently holding onto the Russian market. The safety and quality of Agushi is also confirmed by some neutral studies. For example, fruit cottage cheese, as well as kefir from this brand, received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (2, 3).

However, some parents are confused by the rather high price of certain items.

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

There are mixtures in the product line; a wide range of.

High price for some items.

2. FrutoNyanya

FrutoNyanya baby food brand products are distinguished by a wide range and wide distribution in stores. Among the products of the brand you can find: a variety of cereals (with additives in the form, for example, pieces of fruit or without them), vegetable, fruit and meat purees, water, dairy products, juices, fruit drinks and nectars, snacks. For children prone to acute reactions to certain products, a special line of hypoallergenic food is offered.

Some of the brand's products have received high ratings from Roskachestvo, for example, biocurd, buckwheat porridge (4, 5).

Nutrition from this brand is designed for both the first complementary foods and for babies after a year. The composition contains salt and sugar, which are not recommended for children under one year old.

Main characteristics

Pros and cons

May contain allergenic ingredients (eg sugar).

3. "Grandmother's Lukoshko"

The manufacturer has been present on the Russian market since 1999. The main product is a variety of purees, which are available in glass jars and soft packs. For example, apple puree from this brand received the highest rating from Roskachestvo in all analysis criteria and was awarded the Quality Mark (6).

For older children, prepared meals, meatballs, healthy snacks such as fruit lozenges and biscuits are available. Also, "Babushkino Lukoshko" produces children's herbal teas. Salt in some products is not always welcomed by parents.

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

Relatively low price in the segment; varied products.

There may be undesirable auxiliary components in the formulation (eg salt).

4. "Subject"

"Theme" offers products for children from 4 months to 3 years. The assortment includes a variety of meat, fish and vegetable purees, dairy products, ready meals and juices. But fruit purees are not presented. Packaging 一 is one of the distinguishing features of the brand. Thanks to special tin cans, the products are reliably protected from sunlight, which prolongs the shelf life. Also, many products of the brand are available in non-spill packages, so it is convenient to take them with you on the road. According to the results of the research, cottage cheese and juice "Theme" received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (7, 8).

5. Diaper

All ingredients for production are supplied from our own farm. The manufacturer claims that thanks to this, it is possible to set fairly low prices for products.

The potential buyer is offered fruit and vegetable purees (some with cottage cheese), soups, various juices and fruit drinks, as well as water. Some of the products are hypoallergenic. The composition does not contain unnecessary components: salt, sugar and preservatives. Meat and fish products are not represented in the product line.

The main characteristics

Manufacturer	"Gardens Podonya"
Assortment	puree, cream-soups, cereal
Recommended age	C 40 months of	° Cite.	2005

Pros and cons

Low price in the segment; simple and clear structure.

Lack of meat and fish products in the assortment.

Rating of the top 5 foreign manufacturers of baby food according to KP

There are many foreign companies that produce baby food on the Russian market. A century of history, many years of experience and a good reputation helps to supply the market with quality products, which are preferred by many parents.

1. Gerber

The assortment of the American manufacturer includes products for children from 4 months. In supermarkets and online sites, you can find vegetable and fruit purees, cereals, healthy snacks, juices, and desserts (cottage cheese treats, smoothies, and others). Hypoallergenic food is also provided. For example, dairy-free buckwheat porridge of this brand is highly appreciated by Roskachestvo experts, who noted the safe composition of the product without dangerous and harmful substances, including no added sugars (9).

The manufacturer claims that the high prices are due to the corresponding quality, which is ensured by strict standards and adherence to technology.

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

Hypoallergenic products; natural composition; high quality.

High price in the baby food segment.

2. HiPP

German manufacturer's products are suitable for children from birth. Infants are offered hypoallergenic powdered milk formulas enriched with vitamins. For feeding - various purees, cream soups, cereals, and as a snack for older children - snacks and dairy desserts.

Meals are made exclusively from natural ingredients, without added sugar. The high price, according to the manufacturer, is due to the use of special technologies and high-quality products.

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

Natural composition; There are baby formulas in the assortment.

High price of products.

3. Fleur Alpine

Natural baby food of premium quality. The range includes purees, cereals, cookies and juices - both regular and for children prone to allergies or intolerant to gluten. In addition to the usual products, the manufacturer offers olive oil (from 6 months) and sauces (from 3 years).

From time to time, the products of this brand come under the attention of experts from Roskachestvo and Roskontrol. For example, Three cereals porridge showed excellent results: a good composition with dietary fiber and no foreign impurities, the appropriate taste, color and smell (10), and buckwheat porridge meets the advanced standards of Roskachestvo, except for the increased protein content (11).

Not all products on the official website can be purchased in a regular store. However, they can be purchased on marketplaces.

High price; Not all brand products are easy to find on offline sites.

4. Semper

The Swedish company offers a wide range of products for children of all ages. Dry milk formulas are suitable for newborns, and there are even specialized ones that are best used for constipation. Some of them are designed for babies older than six months. For crumbs older than 4 months, the manufacturer offers a variety of vegetable, meat, fish and fruit purees, cereals, juices and children's tea with vitamins. In addition to the usual products for children, there are wellings — oatmeal and multi-cereal porridges with natural additives, cookies, and meatballs.

Roskachestvo examined this brand's applesauce and, apart from its high carbohydrate content (higher than indicated on the package), found no drawbacks (12). In addition, some purees contain starch.

The main characteristics

Pros and cons

There are mixtures in the product line interesting combinations of flavors.

High price in the segment; the presence of starch in the puree; the product according to BJU may differ from that stated on the package.

5. Heinz

American food company offers a wide range of products at affordable prices. There are fruit, vegetable and meat purees, cereals (dairy and non-dairy), soups and drinks. As a healthy snack for babies from 5 months, special cookies are suitable, and fruit and cream puddings will be a great dessert for older children. You can also find a special vermicelli that will suit crumbs from 6 months. The manufacturer's porridges received the highest rating from Roskachestvo (13). However, some products contain sugar and starch, which many parents of babies do not approve of.

The main characteristics

Pros and Cons

Product contains prebiotics; affordable price in the segment of baby food from foreign manufacturers.

Some products contain sugar and starch.

How to choose the right baby food

A child's menu may differ from another baby's diet, not only because of age, but also due to health conditions (for example, a tendency to constipation or a dairy allergy) and personal preferences. However, the first thing to consider is age. It’s also important to keep in mind that your baby’s diet should be free of added salt and sugar (14). Certain positions deserve some explanation.

Milk formulas

Designed for feeding babies. In fact, they are designed to become an alternative to mother's milk. For the full development of the crumbs, it is necessary that vitamins and trace elements are present in the composition.

Canned puree

Introduced from 4 months. There are fruit, vegetable, meat and fish options. Combinations are also possible. For the first feeding, it is recommended to choose one-component purees from vegetables or fruits.

Porridges

Porridges, as well as mashed potatoes, are recommended to be offered to a baby from 4 months. Thanks to the special processing of cereals, baby porridge is easily boiled, which significantly saves cooking time.

Nectars, juices

You can give your baby juice or nectar from the age of 4 months. As long as it doesn't contain sugar. If available, it is better to wait at least up to 1 year.

Reviews of doctors about manufacturers of baby food

一 Baby food is becoming an object of special attention on the part of the state and parents, 一 says pediatrician Ekaterina Mikhaltsova . - The main advantages of industrial products and dishes are ease of use, balanced composition and minimal cooking time. However, you must strictly follow the age recommendations and cooking rules indicated on the labels.

- Dairy products and baby food in particular are complex production products where quality control is essential at all stages. Therefore, it is better to trust large manufacturers, - explains sanitary doctor Nikolai Dubinin . - It is important to pay attention to the composition and, before offering the child, taste the food yourself. In general, doctors agree that commercially produced baby food is no worse than home-cooked. And some are even better, due to supplements in the form of vitamins and trace elements.

Popular questions and answers

We answer the most common questions about baby food together with pediatrician Ekaterina Mikhaltsova and sanitary doctor, epidemiologist Nikolai Dubinin.

How to choose food for the first feeding?

Pediatricians recommend starting the first complementary foods with vegetable puree. Fruits contain a large amount of fructose, which can irritate the lining of the stomach and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Of course, the parent himself can boil and grind vegetables to a puree-like consistency, but it is easier to purchase products in the store, since baby food is made in compliance with special technologies, taking into account all the rules and regulations.

Another question is how to choose a brand among such a variety of baby foods. The best solution is to stick with a well-known brand. Large companies care about their reputation, and therefore strictly follow all established quality standards and do not violate production technology.

The next step is to study the information on the label, make sure the quality, evaluate the following indicators:

• Natural composition. Preservatives, salt, sugar and other ingredients should not be present in the composition (at least in products for children under 1 year old).
• Consistency (grinding quality). A good puree should be smooth and without lumps.
• Multi or single ingredient . The first puree should contain only one ingredient. The child should get used to a certain vegetable, after which it will be possible to introduce others, adding each one in turn, so that the baby gets used to everything separately.
• Hypoallergenic product. Formula must not contain ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction.
• Package integrity . It is important to inspect the container in detail for dents, scratches or cracks (chips). Tightness must be observed. Don't forget to check the production date.
• Appropriate for the age of the child . The age for which this or that product is designed is usually indicated on the packaging in compliance with the recommendations of pediatricians.

When all these factors are taken into account, it can be said that the product is really suitable for the child and will not cause side effects (15).

Which of the Russian manufacturers should I pay attention to?

Baby food brand Agusha has been producing products for over 30 years. The assortment has everything you need for a complete diet for kids: dairy products, cereals, fruit, vegetable and meat purees, juices and compotes. The company produces safe, hypoallergenic, complete nutrition for children of all ages. High-quality substitutes for breast milk and subsequent complementary foods are also produced. It is also recommended to pay attention to the manufacturers "FrutoNyanya" and "Theme".

What composition should healthy baby food contain?

When choosing puree in jars, pay attention to the composition. The ingredients should be natural, a good option (especially for younger kids) if the puree is a one-component puree - a fruit or vegetable plus water. Please note that the product does not contain salt, flour, starch, dyes and preservatives, and is not too diluted with water. The vegetable itself may contain starch, but its additional additives are very undesirable.

Sources

1. Once again about baby food. Ladodo K. S. 2003.
2. Roskachestvo rating. Children's cottage cheese "Agusha". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/tvorog-detskiy-fruktovyy-agusha-multifruktovyy-s-massovoy-doley-zhira-3-9/
3. Roskachestvo rating. Children's kefir "Agusha". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/kefir-agusha-s-massovoy-doley-zhira-3-2-dlya-pitaniya-detey-starshe-8-mesyatsev/
4. Roskachestvo rating. Biocurd "FrutoNyanya". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/biotvorog-frutonyanya-yabloko-obogashchennyy-vitaminom-d3-s-massovoy-doley-zhira-4-2-dlya-pitaniya-d/
5. Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge "FrutoNyanya". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/frutonyanya-pervyy-vybor-grechnevaya-kasha/
6. Roskachestvo rating. Apple puree "Babushkino Lukoshko" URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/pyure-fruktovoe-gomogenizirovannoe-sterilizovannoe-dlya-pitaniya-detey-rannego-vozrasta-s-4-mesyatse/
7. Roskachestvo rating. Biocurd "Theme". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/biotvorog-tyema-obogashchennyy-bifidobakteriyami-s-grushey-dlya-detskogo-pitaniya-massovaya-dolya-zh/
8. Roskachestvo rating. Apple juice "Theme". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/sok-yablochnyy-vostanovlennyy-osvetlennyy-dlya-detskogo-pitaniya/
9. Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge Gerber. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/bezmolochnaya-kasha-gerber-grechnevaya/
10. Roskachestvo rating. Porridge "Three cereals" Fleur Alpine. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/kasha-fleur-alpine-tri-zlaka-/
11. Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge Fleur Alpine. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/kasha-grechnevaya-gipoallergennaya-fleur-alpine/
12. Roskachestvo rating. Applesauce Semper. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/pyure-iz-yablok-fruktovoe-sterilizovannoe-dlya-detskogo-pitaniya-s-4-mesyatsev-semper/
13. Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge Heinz. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/grechnevaya-kashka-heinz-bezmolochnaya-nizkoallergennaya/
14. Baby food safety. Zakharova I.N., Aisanova M.R. 2019.
15. Classification of baby food products, requirements for their quality and safety. Georgieva O.V., Pyrieva E.A., Kon I.Ya. 2018.

trends in baby food packaging

Baby food is an essential product - it comes in special packaging that meets many requirements: the safety of the product and its taste, detailed information about the composition and possible allergic reactions. When developing the design and functionality of packaging, it is important to take into account the interests of the target audience - these are parents and children from the age of one who can already express their reactions and attitudes towards the product. Nikolay Artamonov, founder and creative director of Otlichnosti, considered several approaches to category design.

Snacks

Minimalist bright and light packages with salivary design can be considered a classic approach. Communication is aimed at basic instincts - "Your child will be very tasty." Unusual flavor combinations also stimulate the desire to try the product.

Suitable for consumers of all ages, Applesauce Adventures Organic Applesauce comes in three flavors: Spicy Apple, Straight from the Tree, and Sweet as Apple Pie. Applesauce is packaged in a squeezable bag, which allows you to eat it right away or squeeze it into a separate container.

The Applesauce Adventures

Cherub Food jars are packed with a focus on aesthetics, with each plump glass jar featuring a minimalist label featuring a cartoon mouth with a tongue.

Cherub Food, Me + James Studio

With their simple, modern look, Cherub Food jars are eye-catching and show that only the most essential ingredients are used in the formula. Designed by Me + James Studio.

Cherub Food

Healthy products for an anxious audience

Parents are the most anxious target audience. The most important indicator for them is the usefulness of the products that they give to their babies.

Windows and fully transparent packaging detailing the ingredients and how they are processed are used by baby food designers to convey the brand's core values.

UK-based startup Keep It Real Baby makes nutritious, clean, organic baby food that is as close to homemade as possible. The Love Mondays packaging design is inspired by the core values ​​of the brand: be honest, stay playful, stay inclusive, and keep inspiring.

Inspired by children's books, the designers hand-created textures and paper-cut illustrations that perfectly fit the idea of ​​fair and fun food.

Horizon is a tribute to farm to fork with the highest quality ingredients. All this is balanced with a very clean and modern branding and color coding to make it stand out on the shelf as much as possible.

Functional bonuses

When the product itself is already useful and tasty, the functional advantages of packaging of a particular brand come into play. Convenient doypacks for feeding outside the home, mini-spoons, tight lids in case the child has not finished eating, as well as kitchen “gadgets” for making mashed potatoes on your own.

Little Spoon first introduced itself to parents as a healthy baby food brand that produces baby food formulas for different ages that prioritize freshness. With subscription and delivery options, parents choose the meal plan that best suits their schedule and their child's needs, as well as fresh, organic baby food once every two weeks.

Little Spoon

The brand has also taken care to include a small ergonomic spoon in each package, as the company believes it is important for children to learn to eat on their own and develop healthy eating habits from an early age.

Baby Garden Glaciers freezer trays from Cardboard Helicopter Product Design allow parents to save time and waste when preparing food.

Baby Garden Glaciers, Cardboard Helicopter Product Design

Each tray comes with six separate baby food containers that parents can store their baby food in advance. On the lids of these capsules, you can make inscriptions with markers - to comply with the shelf life.

Baby food manufacturer Plum Organics solved the problem of feeding children on the road - for this, the company turned to the IDEO agency.

Plum Organics, IDEO

The designers have developed transparent containers - a resealable lid makes it easy for parents to store food between feedings, and the container has a feature that allows them to keep track of the day they opened the package to make sure they don't throw away the unspoiled food food.

The new pack is easy and safe to stack and has a recess in the lid for parents to place a spoon, making feeding neat and hygienic.

Plum Organics, IDEO

Creative for kids and their moms

Today's parents are yesterday's millennials. In addition to the benefits, taste, environmental friendliness and functionality of the packaging, they appreciate the creative approach in design, which is unusual for the category.

The Latin Baby is a Florida-based brand that caters to the needs and preferences of millennial parents. Unlike classic brands that have been on the market for more than a year, the company uses superfood ingredients and decorative packaging.

The Latin Baby

The Latin Baby is designed with young Hispanic customers in mind. The brand can reach out to consumers using ingredients such as calabash, which are traditionally used in Latin American cuisine. The brand also eschews sugar and sweet fruits and opts for zesty spices instead.

Constructors

Startup Raised Real offers a subscription to baby food and a machine for making it. All food is organic and the menu is curated by one of the co-founders, who holds a PhD in nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian.

Learn more

• 
  Foods with dha for baby
• 
  What food to give six month baby
• 
  When should baby feed self with spoon
• 
  Why do you have to burp a baby after every feeding
• 
  Making pears baby food
• 
  Not holding baby while feeding
• 
  Baby food without citric acid
• 
  Baby food bacterial contamination
• 
  Weaning a baby from night feedings
• 
  Age for babies to eat baby food
• 
  Vintage baby feeding chair