Gerber baby food ingredient label
WHAT'S IN GERBER BABY FOODS? — Ingredient Inspector
WHAT'S IN GERBER BABY FOODS?Dana McCorvie
BABY FOOD, READER REQUESTED CATEGORY
Information updated July 2022
POTENTIAL BABY FOOD TOXICITY: There is significant, current and scary data regarding the presence of ingredients which are not on any ingredient labels >> the toxic components which have seeped into almost all of the manufactured foods + beverages we consume and, by definition, most mass-produced baby foods. This September 29, 2021 report includes several brands including Gerber Baby Foods:
subcommittee report on toxic heavy metals in many baby foods
Here is additional information on toxins in many Baby Foods from Healthy Babies Bright Futures:
BABY FOOD TOXINS
GERBER BABY FOODS is owned by Switzerland-based Nestlé.
Here’s a statement from the Nestlé Corporate Web site:
“We believe in the power of food to enhance quality of life. We constantly explore and aim to push the boundaries of what is possible with food, beverage and nutritional health solutions to contribute to a healthier future.”With that declaration from Nestlé in mind, let’s look at what’s in the Nestlé-owned #1 Baby Food in the U.S., Gerber. (Source for Brand ranking: Statista 2022)
STARTING WITH HOMEMADE: For easy means of comparison to Gerber and other manufactured Baby Foods, here is a quick look at what ingredients are in homemade Baby Foods >> any ingredient not in homemade Baby Foods is designated as Not In Kitchen™ >> these are ingredients we would never use at home to make Baby Foods.
Homemade Baby Foods include real and whole foods alone or in combination including Fruits, Veggies, Grains, Fish+Fowl+Beef and possibly Dairy.
Although some of these ingredients contain Naturally-occurring Sugars, there is no Added Sugar in homemade Baby Food, so Sugar is designated as an ingredient which is Not In Kitchen as we look at these Baby Foods.
Our goal is to find manufactured Baby Foods which are Closest To Homemade® >> Baby Foods whose ingredients are closest to those we would use at home to make any given item.
ALMOST ALL OF NESTLE GERBER BABY FOODS CONTAIN INGREDIENTS Not In Kitchen: Many Nestlé Gerber products contain FDA-recognized Chemical Preservatives including Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols. (Sources: Nestlé Gerber Web site 7/22; U.S. FDA 2022)
Unless specifically noted as ‘Naturally-occurring Citric Acid, Manufactured Citric Acid is made in a laboratory utilizing Aspergillus niger, a.k.a. Black Mold. (Source: National Library of Medicine U.S. Institutes of Health)
Learn more about potential reactions to Manufactured Citric Acid from a study — Potential role of the common food additive manufactured citric acid in eliciting significant inflammatory reactions contributing to serious disease states: A series of four case reports
From the study:
“Citric acid naturally exists in fruits and vegetables.
However, it is not the naturally occurring citric acid, but the manufactured citric acid (MCA) that is used extensively as a food and beverage additive. Approximately 99% of the world’s production of MCA is carried out using the fungus Aspergillus niger since 1919. Aspergilus niger is a known allergen.”
The conclusion of this study is:
“We cannot conclusively affirm that Manufactured Citric Acid is the causative factor in the subjects’ inflammatory symptoms. However, our findings demonstrate a significant likelihood that MCA may be the culprit and are suggestive of valid concerns which warrant proper double blind studies to determine presence or absence of harm.”Source: National Library of Medicine U.S. Institutes of Health
The greater issue of concern is Accumulation >> it wouldn’t necessarily be a big deal if we consumed these Chemical Preservatives once in a while, but they are pervasive, especially in leading brands which tend to be from the biggest food companies.
Check your pantry and fridge for just Citric Acid and you may be shocked by what you find. Click here to learn more about the study:
MANUFACTURED citric acid
Seen below, NESTLE GERBER CHICKEN & CARROT RAVIOLI IS BANNED AT WHOLE FOODS. Whole Foods cites certain ingredients as “Unacceptable in food” including Bleached Flours and there is Bleached Wheat Flour in this Nestlé Gerber Toddler Food. (Source for banned ingredients: Whole Foods Web site 7/22)
THROUGH THE NOT IN KITCHEN FILTER, THESE INGREDIENTS ARE IDENTIFIED IN NESTLE GERBER CHICKEN & CARROT RAVIOLI: Sugar, Bleached Wheat Flour, Soybean Oil, Carrageenan, Maltodextrin, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dextrose, Flavor, Chicken Flavor, Tapioca Dextrin, Dehydrated Carrots, Modified Cornstarch and Modified Potato Starch.
NOTE: The FDA does not allow products which contain the ingredient in this Nestlé Gerber product — Autolyzed Yeast Extract — to say ‘No MSG’ on the package front because they both contain potentially harmful Glutamates.
Many food manufacturers have switched from using MSG — which has considerable negative consumer attitudes and awareness — to
seemingly less innocuous options for Taste Enhancers which naturally contain MSG such as Autolyzed Yeast Extract, which few people have heard of and it has the word ‘Yeast’ in it which we know is in bread and beer (so how bad could it be?).From the FDA Web site 7/22: “MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate . . . foods with any ingredient that naturally contains MSG cannot claim “No MSG” or “No added MSG” on their packaging.”
Nestlé states,
“It is well known that what we eat and drink as children sets the foundation for our adult lives” . . . and then Nestlé adds four Sugar sources to a Main Meal Gerber offering for Toddlers . . . and Autolyzed Yeast Extract.
NESTLE ADDS SUGAR TO MAIN MEAL OFFERINGS ELSEWHERE IN THEIR PORTFOLIO: Here’s another example of a Nestlé product made for the U.S. with 6 instances of Sugars >> Nestlé Hot Pockets Big & Bold Chicken Bacon Ranch which is banned at Whole Foods (all Nestlé Hot Pockets are banned at Whole Foods) and contains multiple ingredients Not In Kitchen. (Source: Nestlé Hot Pockets Web site 1/22)
See the Ingredient Inspector review of Nestlé Hot Pockets:
DESPITE THE PACKAGE GRAPHICS WHICH DEPICT REAL CRANBERRIES AND ORANGES, NESTLE GERBER ORGANIC CRANBERRY ORANGE PUFFS (seen below) HAVE NO REAL CRANBERRY AND NO REAL ORANGE . . . JUST THE FLAVOR OF THOSE FRUITS.
These Gerber Puffs contain Organic Cane Sugar as their third ingredient plus they have two FDA-recognized Preservatives >> Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols.
There are also other ingredients Not In Kitchen such as Acetic Acid which is likely there to simulate the tart flavor of missing Cranberries. The Citric Acid may also be included to simulate a fruit flavor >> Oranges >> but, regardless of why Nestlé included the Citric Acid, it is, nonetheless, an FDA-recognized Preservative.
NESTLE ADDS SUGAR TO MULTIPLE GERBER PRODUCTS: If Nestlé truly believes what they say >> “It is well known that what we eat and drink as children sets the foundation for our adult lives” (Source: Nestlé Web site 7/22) >> why do they add Sugar to these Gerber products for Toddlers?
Note about Invert Sugar which is in, for example, Gerber’s Puffs product (shown below) >> this is not the same as Sugar. Invert Sugars are commercial sugars that have been altered by a chemical process to provide a sugar with different properties that are more conducive to being utilized in mass-production products which sit on shelves for long periods of time.
Invert Sugars are better at helping the product retain moisture which is why we often see Invert Sugar in items like these puffs which seek to maintain a soft texture.
Nestlé Gerber Peach Puffs are made with ‘Natural Peach Vanilla Flavor’ which includes ingredients such as Citric Acid, Acetic Acid and Invert Sugar.
CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE BABY FOODS: Following are some Baby Foods which are Closest To Homemade . . . and some notes on why others are not . . .
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Demeter biodynamic® certification has zero tolerance for genetic modification including the use of any GMO organisms or ingredients. Biodynamic® products are sourced from biodynamic farms which practice regenerative farming >> items are grown and raised here in a way which helps heal the soil and the earth, so they not only taste great and have optimal nutrition but they help combat climate change >> they remove carbon from the atmosphere and put it back into the soil.
Find out more about Biodynamic® farming from Demeter — the only certifier in the U.S. for Biodynamic® farms and products:
BIODYNAMIC® FARMING + FOOD
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
See the Ingredient Inspector review of Plum Organics Baby Food:
Seen below, Danone-owned Happy Family (Happy Baby, Happy Tot) is currently being sued for the presence of lead in some of their products >> lawsuit issued June 2021; read more here:
happy baby lawsuit
This has now spiraled into the consolidation of 17 individual lawsuits against Happy Baby:
HAPPY BABY CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
See the Ingredient Inspector review of Earth’s Best Baby Food:
Here’s a handy summary chart of some Baby Food products which are Closest To Homemade:
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
Discover more food + beverages whose ingredients are Closest To Homemade in over 195+ categories:
And we leave you with a review of old Gerber Baby Food ads .
. .
Dana McCorvie
Website
Dana McCorvie
Website
WHAT'S IN PROGRESSO SOUPS?
WHAT'S IN PLUM ORGANICS BABY FOODS?
WHAT'S IN EARTH'S BEST BABY FOODS?
WHAT'S IN PLUM ORGANICS BABY FOODS?
WHICH GRAHAM CRACKERS ARE CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE?
| GerberLil' Chicken SticksDrained 1 jar Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Strawberry Fruit Infused Water 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 0 calories | |
| GerberPea Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberSweet Potato Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberMixed Berries Yogurt Melts 1⁄4 cup (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
GerberButternut Squash Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Blackberry & Blueberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberVegetable Chicken Dinner Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberCarrot Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberChicken & Gravy Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (71g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Apple Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Strawberry, Raspberry & Mixed Grain Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
GerberApple Avocado Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberSweet Potato Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Plum & Grape Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberApple Blueberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple, Strawberry & Banana Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberBanana Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
GerberApple Banana Baby Food w/ Oatmeal2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberApple, Strawberry & Blueberry Baby Food w/ Mixed Cereal2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberVegetable Beef Dinner Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberTurkey Rice Dinner Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberChicken Rice Dinner Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
GerberSweet Potato Turkey Dinner Baby Food w/ Whole Grains2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberGreen Bean Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberTurkey & Gravy Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (71g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberBeef & Gravy Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (71g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberPeach Yogurt Melts 1⁄4 cup (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana Strawberry Yogurt Melts 1⁄4 cup (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberGrain & Grow Morning Bowl w/ Oats, Quinoa, Farro & Tropical Fruits 1 bowl (128g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberCreamy Chicken Stew w/ Vegetables 1 tray (152g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberLil' Turkey SticksDrained 1 tray Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberPear Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Peanut BabyPops 18 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberMild Cheddar Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberCinnamon Graham Animal Crackers 2 crackers (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Banana Soft Baked Grain Bar 1 bar (19g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana & Mango Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Blueberry, Blackberry & Oatmeal Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear, Mango & Avocado Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Mango, Apple, Carrot & Kale Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberRanch Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
GerberApricot Mixed Fruit Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberPrune Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Spinach & Kale Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberSpiral Pasta in Turkey Meat Sauce w/ Green & Yellow Beans 1 tray (152g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Oatmilk Smoothie w/ Mixed Berries, Bananas & Beets 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberBlueberry Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberBanana Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberArrowroot Cookies 1 cookie (5g) Nutrition Facts 20 calories | |
GerberCarrot, Sweet Potato & Pea Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Apple & Pear Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberPear, Zucchini & Corn Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberCarrot Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 20 calories | |
| GerberApple, Peach & Squash Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
GerberGreen Beans Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberApple, Strawberry & Rhubarb Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberPea Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberPea, Carrot & Spinach Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 45 calories | |
| GerberPear, Parsnip & Blueberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberButternut Squash Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
GerberSweet Potato Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter.1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberSweet Potato Corn Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberApple Cherry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberBanana Orange Medley Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberMango Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberPeach Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 45 calories | |
GerberPumpkin Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberSweet Potato, Apple & Pumpkin Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberPear Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 pack (56g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberSquash, Apple & Corn Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberPeach Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
GerberPumpkin Banana Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberPear Pineapple Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberPear Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberApple Mango Baby Food w/ Rice Cereal2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberApple Banana Baby Food w/ Mixed Cereal2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberPear Cinnamon Baby Food w/ Oatmeal2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
GerberPeach Mango Baby Food w/ Oatmeal Cereal2nd foods. Sitter.1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberMango Apple Twist Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberMac & Cheese Dinner Baby Food w/ Vegetables2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberVanilla Custard Pudding Baby Food w/ Banana2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberChicken Noodle Dinner Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
GerberBanana Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Carrot & Mango Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberSweet Potato, Mango & Kale Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberPrune Apple Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberHawaiian Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 pack (113g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberNatural Banana Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
GerberNatural Apple Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Carrot Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberNatural Pear Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Carrot Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Baby Food1st foods. Supported sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
GerberNatural Banana Blueberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberNatural Pear, Carrot & Pea Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Pear Zucchini Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Strawberry & Banana Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Pear Guava Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberNatural Squash, Pear & Pineapple Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
GerberNatural Sweet Potato, Banana & Orange Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple Prune Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Zucchini & Peach Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberHam & Gravy Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (71g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Spinach & Kale Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Strawberry & Beet Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
GerberOrganic Apple & Wild Blueberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter.1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear, Purple Carrot & Raspberry Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Prune Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Carrot, Apple & Pear Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Mango, Apple & Banana Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Sweet Potato, Apple, Carrot & Cinnamon Baby Food2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
GerberOrganic Pear, Purple Carrot & Blueberry Baby Food w/ Millet & Quinoa2nd foods. Sitter.1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Carrot, Banana & Mango Baby Food w/ Millet & Quinoa2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Apple & Strawberry Baby Food w/ Millet, Quinoa & Cinnamon2nd foods. Sitter. 1 jar (113g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberGarden Veggies & Rice Baby Food3rd foods. Crawler. 1 jar (170g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberPasta Primavera Baby Food3rd foods. Crawler. 1 jar (170g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Blueberry & Rice Pudding Baby Food3rd foods. Crawler. 1 jar (170g) Nutrition Facts 180 calories | |
GerberPasta Marinara Baby Food3rd foods. Crawler.1 jar (170g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Apple, Blueberry & Puffed Grain 1 tray (102g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Vegetable Chicken, Mixed Grains & Carrots 1 tray (159g) Nutrition Facts 130 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Carrot, Sweet Potato, Pea & Quinoa Crisp 1 tray (115g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Apple, Strawberry, Banana & Puffed Grain 1 tray (102g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Sweet Potato, Turkey, Mixed Grain & Carrot 1 tray (159g) Nutrition Facts 140 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Apple, Avocado & Quinoa Crisp 1 tray (115g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberLil' Mixers w/ Apple, Chicken & Quinoa 1 tray (159g) Nutrition Facts 160 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Yogurt Melts 1⁄4 cup (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberVery Berry Blend Fruit & Veggie Melts 32 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberTruly Tropical Blend Fruit & Veggie Melts 32 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Red Berries Yogurt Melts 1⁄4 cup (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Banana Yogurt 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberBlueberry Yogurt w/ Whole Grains 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberBanana Yogurt 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberMixed Berry Yogurt 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberPeach Yogurt 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Yogurt 1 container (99g) Nutrition Facts 100 calories | |
| GerberGrain & Grow Morning Bowl w/ Oats, Barley, Quinoa, Banana & Summer Berries 1 bowl (128g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberSpanish-Style Sofrito Mealtime Harvest Bowl 1 bowl (128g) Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberPesto Mealtime Harvest Bowl 1 bowl (128g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberGarden Tomato Mealtime Harvest Bowl 1 bowl (128g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberApple Cinnamon Oatmeal & Barley Cereal 1 tray Nutrition Facts 140 calories | |
| GerberPeach Oatmeal & Barley Cereal 1 tray Nutrition Facts 140 calories | |
| GerberYellow Rice & Chicken w/ Vegetables in Sauce 1 tray (152g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberMac & Cheese w/ Chicken & Vegetables 1 tray (170g) Nutrition Facts 150 calories | |
| GerberMac & Cheese w/ Seasoned Peas & Carrots 1 tray (150g) Nutrition Facts 160 calories | |
| GerberMashed Potatoes, Gravy, Roasted Chicken & Carrots 1 tray (150g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberMashed Potatoes, Meatloaf, Gravy, Carrots, Peas & Corn 1 tray (152g) Nutrition Facts 130 calories | |
| GerberPasta Shells & Cheese 1 tray (170g) Nutrition Facts 160 calories | |
| GerberPasta Stars in Meat Sauce w/ Green Beans 1 tray (155g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberSpaghetti Rings in Meat Sauce 1 tray (170g) Nutrition Facts 160 calories | |
| GerberPasta Stars w/ Chicken & Vegetables 1 tray (170g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberCheese & Spinach Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (85g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberChicken & Carrot Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (85g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberChicken & Parmesan Cheese Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (128g) Nutrition Facts 120 calories | |
| GerberTurkey & Vegetable Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (85g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberBeef & Tomato Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (85g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberCheese Ravioli Pick-upsDrained 1 tray (85g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberDiced Apples Pick-upsDrained 1 tray Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberLil' Meat SticksDrained 1 jar Nutrition Facts 110 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Oatmilk Smoothie w/ Bananas, Squash, Mango & Pineapple 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Strawberry Fruit Infused Water 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 0 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Cherry Fruit Infused Water 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 0 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Coconut Water Splashers w/ Cherry, Sweet Potato & Apple 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Coconut Water Splashers w/ Mango, Peach & Carrot 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Coconut Water Splashers w/ Banana, Mango & Squash 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Kiwi Water & Fruit Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberWhite Grape Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberMixed Fruit Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple Prune Juice 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberPure Water 4 fl oz Nutrition Facts 0 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Oatmeal Single Grain Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberRice Single Grain Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOatmeal Single Grain Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Rice Single Grain Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberDHA & Probiotic Oatmeal Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberDHA & Probiotic Rice Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Oatmeal, Millet & Quinoa Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOatmeal Banana Fruit & Probiotic Infant Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOatmeal Peach Apple Fruit & Probiotic Infant Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberRice Banana Apple Fruit & Probiotic Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Oatmeal Banana Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOatmeal, Banana & Strawberry Lil' Bits Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Apple & Strawberry Hearty Bits Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberWhole Wheat Apple Blueberry Lil' Bits Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOatmeal, Apple & Cinnamon Lil' Bits Cereal 1⁄4 cup (15g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberBananas & Cream Oatmeal & Barley Cereal 1 tray Nutrition Facts 140 calories | |
| GerberSoothe 'n' Chew Teething Sticks 1 stick (15g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana Raspberry BabyPops 18 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Tomato BabyPops 18 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberRaspberry Pomegranate Grain & Grow Bar 1 bar (19g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Mango & Pineapple Grain & Grow Bar 1 bar (19g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberPeach Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberVanilla Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberApple Cinnamon Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Cranberry Orange Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Fig Berry Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Puffs 60 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberBanana Peach Teethers 4 wafers (8g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry, Apple & Spinach Teethers 4 wafers (8g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Mango, Banana & Carrot Teethers 4 wafers (8g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Blueberry, Apple & Beet Teethers 4 wafers (8g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberApple Harvest Teether Wheels 4 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberBanana Cream Teether Wheels 4 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 25 calories | |
| GerberVanilla Maple Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberApple Sweet Potato Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberVeggie Dip Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberGarden Tomato Lil' Crunchies 16 pieces (7g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberOrganic White Bean Hummus Lil' Crunchies 26 pieces (15g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic White Cheddar Broccoli Lil' Crunchies 26 pieces (15g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Date & Carrot Fruit & Veggie Bar 1 bar (24g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberLil' Biscuits 1 biscuit (7g) Nutrition Facts 30 calories | |
| GerberBanana Cookies 1 cookie (9g) Nutrition Facts 35 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Biscuits 2 cookies (8g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Honey Biscuits 2 cookies (8g) Nutrition Facts 40 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Green & Yellow Peas Popped Crisps 10 pieces (15g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberApple Cinnamon Soft Baked Grain Bar 1 bar (19g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Orange Harvest Veggie Crisps 1 package Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Farm Greens Veggie Crisps 1 package Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberNatural Banana Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberNatural Banana, Pear & Zucchini Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberNatural Banana Blueberry Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Strawberry & Banana Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Sweet Potato & Cinnamon Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberNatural Sweet Potato, Mango, Pear & Kale Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Mango & Strawberry Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Apple, Pear & Peach Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberNatural Broccoli, Carrot, Banana & Pineapple Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple Blueberry Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberApple, Peach & Spinach Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberStrawberry Banana Fruit & Yogurt Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberVery Berry Fruit & Yogurt Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberPeaches & Cream Fruit & Yogurt Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberBanana, Blueberry, Purple Carrot, Greek Yogurt & Mixed Grains Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberPear, Sweet Potato, Greek Yogurt, Oats & Cinnamon Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberApple, Carrot & Pineapple Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Squash, Pear, Peach & Basil Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Purple Carrot, Banana, Acai & Cinnamon Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Raspberry & Acai Berry Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Carrot & Squash Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana Mango Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana Squash Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Mango, Banana, Squash & Acerola Cherry Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Kale & Fig Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pumpkin, Banana & Carrot Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple Peach Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Acai, Berry & Mixed Grain Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Mango, Peach, Carrot, Sweet Potato & Oatmeal Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Strawberry, Beet & Oatmeal Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Mango, Avocado, Quinoa & Vanilla Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Mango, Raspberry, Avocado & Oatmeal Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear, Peach & Oatmeal Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 80 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Mango, Brown Rice & Vanilla Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Purple Carrot, Blueberry & Yogurt Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Peach, Apricot, Carrot & Yogurt Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Banana, Raspberry, Yogurt & Vanilla Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 90 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear, Blueberry, Apple & Avocado Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 70 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear, Zucchini & Mango Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Pear Spinach Pouch 1 pouch (99g) Nutrition Facts 60 calories | |
| GerberOrganic Apple, Zucchini, Spinach & Strawberry Pouch 1 pouch Nutrition Facts 50 calories | |
Calories, carbs, fat, sodium & more • MyFoodDiary®Baby food without secrets
Children's meat and vegetable canned food is a "lifesaver" for every mother who has started complementary foods for her baby.
Moreover, ready-made canned baby food products annually gain an increasing number of supporters among pediatricians, primarily due to the guaranteed control of state epidemiological surveillance over their production. Bribes and the assurance of manufacturers that canned food is made from high-quality, environmentally friendly products grown, harvested, processed and packaged in compliance with all safety standards. Is food from jars as healthy as advertised in commercials?
Test participants:
1. "Agusha" (vegetables and beef).2. "Grandma's basket" (beef and cauliflower) .3. "Gerber" (home-style beef with carrots).4. Nestle (vegetables with beef) and Semper (beef stew with vegetables).
The first part of consumer testing took place in the Igromania entertainment center, where parents of small children were invited. This part of the test was focused on their assessment of the appearance of the baby food packaging, its labeling and the organoleptic characteristics of the product (color, smell, taste).
For the purity of the experiment, the participants were first offered the contents of the jars, and then the jars themselves to study the label.
According to young parents, 1st place was almost unanimously given to "Agusha". The texture of the product was rated as the best for children - neither runny nor thick. A six-month-old kid present at the tasting ate “Agusha” with pleasure, although he usually eats food from jars badly.
Olga: “More like vegetable stew with meat, not meat with vegetables. Meat purees are more pinkish, but here you can see from the color that there are mostly vegetables, and most of all - carrots.
2nd place went to Gerber food.
Irina: “The texture is like after a blender at home. It smells of meat, meat fibers come across and rice is felt. The child really liked it! Great for older kids! The consistency is larger and the meat is in pieces. There are spices in the texture and taste - pepper is added.
3rd place for Semper.
Tatyana: “This food, which is intended for children from 10 months old, has a texture for very adult children! All ingredients are reviewed. Everything is very large, and a lot of pepper! For an adult, this is very tasty, but it seems to us that for a 10-month-old baby, such an amount of salt and pepper in the diet is not acceptable.”
4th place - "Grandma's basket".
Ulyana: “By smell, you immediately feel that it contains cauliflower. The child didn’t want to eat it just because of the smell!” Eugene: “I would understand the child if he refused it. The first was much tastier compared to the second. Almost no taste at all. The texture is more uniform compared to the first puree ("Agusha"). Grains of meat are felt more.
5th place for Nestle.
Oksana: “Absolutely no smell and taste. Barely perceptible smell of meat. And the taste is like that of "Grandma's Basket". Natalia: “The grains of meat are visible, but the taste is not felt.
Yes, puree is very similar to the second one, only one is denser in texture, and this one is more watery. The most "none" of all."
As usual, we carried out the second part of our test at the Tomsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory, whose specialists assessed the nutritional value of the product, as well as the compliance of the contents of baby food jars with the current food safety standards.
Details
Vegetable-based canned food with meat are prepared meals for baby food, which include vegetable components and meat, which in most imported, and in recent years, domestic canned vegetable and meat products is no more than 10-15%.A product manufactured abroad and entering the Russian market must comply with the labeling requirements of national legislation, that is, have information on the label in Russian. A regulatory document that is not indicated on the product label may be indicated in the contract for its supply to Russia - this is a voluntary matter.
The first question related to safety standards arose already at the stage of studying the label. Only two jars out of five were marked with regulatory documents (TU), according to which the consumer can identify the product (“Agusha” and “Babushkino basket”). According to TU, one puree refers to a vegetable and meat product, the other to a meat and vegetable product, although they do not differ much in composition, since meat is listed second on the label after vegetables. But still, according to the classifier, the TU codes are different.
But other manufacturers of tested baby food did not indicate their regulatory documents, in accordance with which it is possible to identify the product, on the labels. Although it is for them that the consumer must determine whether the composition of the product, its name, purpose, guaranteed indicators of quality and safety, including the content of vitamins, amino acids and minerals, correspond to those indicated on the package.
Sterilization versus preservatives
The analysis of food safety carried out in the laboratory (heavy metals, nitrates, the presence of GMOs) did not reveal any deviations, as did the microbiology test in 2 selective samples. There are no complaints about these indicators for all 5 products, which was to be expected, because all samples are sterilized products. Sterilization takes place at a temperature of over 100 degrees, in particular, canned meat and vegetable products are sterilized at a temperature of 113 to 135 degrees for a certain time, which is set depending on the feedstock and production technology, the field of which in such a product all microorganisms and their spores are destroyed. This process is necessary due to the long shelf life of the product - 2 years. And since preservatives in the production of baby food are excluded, sterilization solves this problem.
Based on the fact that this is a baby food product, canned food should contain, for its intended purpose, a sufficient amount of proteins, amino acids, minerals with an optimal ratio of calcium, phosphorus, a sufficiently small amount of table salt, an optimal amount of fat in relation to proteins and a sufficient set of vitamins .
This is a general requirement for infant formula for young children. The balance of the composition is achieved here due to the presence in the product of beef, leguminous crops, vegetable and butter oils, as well as starch for binding in order to avoid splitting canned food.
With long-term sterilization, all taste indicators of the product naturally decrease, starch and sugar are partially broken down, enzyme activity decreases, and some vitamins are destroyed. Also, as a result of prolonged sterilization, color, smell and taste may change. The most lively, fresh and nutritious canned food for children is one that has a shelf life of up to 1 year. If the period is longer (in all our samples it is 2 years), then such a product is focused more on saturation, and its vitamin and nutritional composition is very weak.
Details
Vitamins according to SanPinSanPin (sanitary norms and rules) regulates only a part of vitamins - these are B2 (riboflavin), B1 (thiamine), beta-carotene, PP, B3 (niacin).
Vitamins A and C are not included in the list.
In accordance with the regulations, these vitamins do not have to be present in the product, moreover, vitamins are not allowed as an additional enrichment of the nutrition of young children. Vitamin balance should be achieved only through the components of the product. That is, in this case, it is young beef. And already to compensate for the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, a composition is selected that optimizes the vitamin and mineral complex of the product. Speaking of vitamins, it should be noted that in natural products it is possible to detect them only in very small doses, and it is generally difficult to find them in processed and sterilized ones.
Nowhere on the labeling of our 5 samples is it indicated whether vitamins were added additionally. Nevertheless, we decided to check their presence in the puree. The direction of the search for vitamins was suggested by the composition of the product on the label, where, as a rule, carrot puree and cauliflower were listed first.
Proceeding from this, a study on vitamins A and C was laid. Only vitamin A was found, which was present in all samples, and in “Agusha” it turned out to be the most. Vitamin C was not found in any of the submitted samples.
It is important to know that according to TU (technical specifications) a product is produced in cases where there is a need to deviate from GOST in technology, or to achieve the final result. According to SanPin, such a product will not cause any complaints, but the underestimation of consumer properties (taste, nutrition) is allowed in TU. Therefore, if a product is produced according to specifications and at the same time, manufacturers declare on the packaging, for example, the huge benefits of its use for growth, brain development, immunity, and other things, the consumer should be interested in the reliability of this information. How does the manufacturer support such statements? In our case, not a single vitamin is indicated on the label.
It turns out that some degree of growth, health improvement, etc.
is achieved only due to the composition of the puree. For such indicators, the presence of at least calcium, phosphorus and vitamins in the diet is required. They may be there, but the data on the label absolutely does not imply and is not guaranteed exactly how much they are contained in the product. Thus, if the manufacturer writes about some favorable consequences for the body when using his products, then such information must be confirmed on the label. In our testing, the only thing that is guaranteed on all puree samples is that the product is non-GMO, free of dyes, flavors and preservatives, salt and gluten free.
Label
The labels on food jars are quite informative, they indicate the manufacturer, expiration date. On the labels of imported samples there is a translation of information about the product in Russian.
In Russia, since February 2010, in Decree No. 982, certification of food products has been replaced by mandatory declaration.
The mark of confirmation of conformity is obligatory, and it is applied on all jars submitted for the study!
In addition to mandatory declaration, baby food is also subject to mandatory state registration. Only 3 cans have a certificate of it (not on the label of "Agushi" and "Gerber"). This circumstance lowered their scores in the laboratory rating of the studied samples, since the certificate on the label is one of the indicators of confirming the safety of the product.
Lab Rating
In terms of nitrates (which are always found in vegetables and fruits) and vitamins, all the presented samples met the norms (see table), but, nevertheless, the highest nitrate indicator (albeit within acceptable limits) is in Agusha. Agusha has similarly high levels of vitamin A.
If we build a rating of children's purees participating in testing, then 1st place is given to "Grandmother's basket" , where all the necessary parameters are indicated on the label: GOST, certificate of state registration of baby food, composition, presence of a vitamin-mineral complex, terms validity.
2nd place for Agushi. And if in consumer testing this puree took the 1st place, then in the laboratory it was not assigned leadership due to the lack of information on the state registration of baby food on the label.
It turns out that the product has not passed the state registration in the bodies of Rospotrebnadzor. It is likely that there is a registration, but it is not acceptable not to indicate such information on the label, especially when it comes to baby food. This is a violation. After all, the consumer must first of all receive all the data about the product from the label.
The rest of the samples in laboratory testing occupy the same positions, there is no clear distinction in places, all food is approximately the same in quality.
The main rule when choosing baby food is to pay attention to the composition of the product. It's enough. If vegetables are in the first place in the composition of the product, it is vegetable-meat puree, if meat, then it is meat-vegetable.
We express our gratitude for the active participation in the preparation of the material to the specialists of the OGU "Tomsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory", as well as the entertainment center "Igromaniya" for their assistance in organizing consumer testing.
Learning to read baby food labels
Reviewer Kovtun Tatiana Anatolievna
10510 views
September 15, 2021
What does the average shopper pay attention to when choosing a product in a store? For the price, brand awareness, well, even for the expiration date, if you remember. The choice of a particular product takes a matter of seconds.
Do you see that woman who is thoughtfully studying the label? Be sure: this is a mother who knows exactly what should and should not be in a jar of baby food. You give instructions on how to read the labels correctly!
"Free of preservatives, artificial additives, colors and flavors"
All of the above is forbidden to be used in the production of children's food, since it not only irritates the digestive tract, but can also cause allergic reactions.
Non-GMO
Despite the fact that scientists have not yet identified the negative effects of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on health, their long-term impact is not yet fully understood. That is why they do not yet have a place in children's products.
Enriched with vitamins and minerals
This is not required, but highly desirable. Why? For example, vitamin C, like most other vitamins, is very unstable and is destroyed during the storage and processing of vegetables and fruits.
Therefore, manufacturers of baby food additionally enrich their products with this useful vitamin. A similar story happens with other irreplaceable components - for example, with iron. Until the introduction of complementary foods, the baby for the most part uses the reserves of iron, which he received in the womb. That is why, when choosing dry cereals for children, it is necessary to give preference to their additional enrichment with this essential nutrient.
Puree free of starch
Starch is added in order to achieve the optimal consistency of the product. By itself, it is not harmful, but for the first feeding, baby food with starch is not recommended - why does the baby need extra "empty" ingredients?
Clarified juice
These juices, as a rule, appear first in the baby's diet. They do not contain pulp, which means that there are fewer plant fibers in them. By the way, juices with pulp are also useful - and their turn will come, because they will help regulate the functioning of the intestines of the crumbs.
Homogenised
This terrible word means only the degree of grinding of the product, its uniformity without lumps and flakes. Homogenized puree is ideal for babies at the stage of the first weaning.
"Contains Prebiotics"
Such an inscription can most often be seen on children's cereals, as well as on children's dairy products. This is a great sign.
Prebiotics are carbohydrates that "good" bacteria feed on. They can be found in a class of common foods such as bananas, artichokes, asparagus, corn, chicory. Prebiotics improve the intestinal microflora.
"Contains probiotics"
Can be found on dairy products. Found? Very well. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria. Most often, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are used in baby food - they contribute to comfortable digestion.
A foreign-made product must have a sticker in Russian and the coordinates of the supplier in Russia. If there is none, it means that the product most likely entered the market illegally and may be of poor quality.
