Home » Misc » When does beech nut baby food expire

When does beech nut baby food expire


Beech-Nut becomes a disruptive force in baby food

Millennial moms shopping the baby food aisle have recently been met with a new vision: Shelves stacked with premium, honeypot-shaped, clear glass jars displaying the vibrant, rich colors of 100% natural fruit and vegetable purees. Bright orange carrot, deep crimson pomegranate, luscious golden apple, and rich purple blackberry are just a few. It is the vision that drove Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp.’s year-and-a-half-long journey to transform its products and packaging to better meet the needs of today’s moms and bring them back to a declining category.

According to Andy Dahlen, Beech-Nut’s Vice President of Marketing, in recent years, moms have been switching from commercially prepared baby foods to homemade in order to ensure the freshness and nutrition of their babies’ food. A drop in the birth rate has also affected the category.

“Over the last five to seven years, there has been a decline in the birth rate, so that is a factor facing the category,” Dahlen says. “But even if you account for the decline in birth rate, there are ounces leaving the category due to moms who are choosing to not enter the category or are getting the food and nutritional needs of their babies met elsewhere.

“If you look at the per-baby amount of ounces consumed from the aisle, in 2005, a baby would consume on average 1,700 ounces. In 2012, that number was just less than 1,200 ounces. So 500 ounces are gone. We know from the birth rate and the fact that there have been no changes in nutritional recommendations that babies are still getting those ounces; they are just not getting them from the category.”

Driven by the desire to make its brand relevant and compelling to modern moms, in late 2012 Beech-Nut—led by Dahlen, along with brand agency Bluedog Design™—set out to reformulate its product line and disrupt the baby food category forever with “Real Food for Babies” in packaging as premium and “pure” as the product itself.

Gentle cooking yields natural product
Beech-Nut, a subsidiary of Hero AG of Lenzburg, Switzerland, was founded in 1890 and has been producing baby food since 1931. Located in Amsterdam, NY, at “One Nutritious Place,” the company is the number-two leading baby-food brand in the U.S., producing jarred fruit and vegetable purees, cereals, pouched purees and yogurts, and a limited line of toddler meals and snacks.

According to Dahlen, the company’s history is one of innovation in packaging and nutrition. “It was a brand built around competency in packaging,” he says. “In 1931, Beech-Nut was the first to put baby food in a vacuum-packed container. That was an innovation at the time. Throughout the history of the brand, the company has been a leader in terms of being the first to remove any additional salts and sugars, and the first to launch a stage eating system for baby food, where the textures and the products were designed to meet babies’ needs as they grew. ”

Therefore, it was only natural in 2012 for Beech-Nut to embark upon a transformational change in its brand focused on product and packaging innovation. As Dahlen explains, the project was a co-creative process between Beech-Nut, Bluedog, and approximately 3,000 moms. To understand what consumers were looking for in a baby-food product, Beech-Nut and Bluedog conducted both quantitative and qualitative research through ethnographic studies, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups.

“The studies were really designed to get at how moms were feeling about feeding their babies, about the category, and about caring for their children, all going into a deeper emotional level to help guide us in the right way to deliver a product that would be relevant to mom and address her needs,” says Dahlen.

According to Bluedog CEO Michelle Hayward, the answer was “simple”: “We found out when it comes to food for their babies, moms believe simple is best, and simple means real—that means more flavor, more healthful, and more enjoyable. ”
To deliver simple, 100% natural products, Beech-Nut worked with a proprietary supplier to develop gentle cooking™ technology, a method that ensures the freshness of the fruits and vegetables, without the addition of excess water or preservatives. During cooking, Beech-Nut uses indirect heat similar to a double-boiler to preserve the color, texture, and flavor of the products. 

The chef-developed recipes of the new Beech-Nut brand include 40 products, some single-ingredient, such as Honeycrisp Apples, Sweet Potatoes, and Bartlett Pears, and others that use several ingredients, such as Apple & Blackberry and Sweet Corn & Green Beans. The products are divided into three stages, with Stage 3 (for babies approximately eight months and older) using grains and other ingredients not commonly found in traditional baby foods—among them, avocado, quinoa, amaranth, chia, and others.

“At every single home we were in [during ethnographic studies], the moms were making avocado,” says Dahlen. “It’s a healthy fat, and there are not a lot of avocado choices in the baby-food aisle. So we have avocados in several of our SKUs.”

Differentiating the products from organic baby-food offerings and others that claim to offer a more healthful option, Beech-Nut’s line “is just the fruit or vegetable and nothing else,” Dahlen says. “There is half a honeycrisp apple in the Honeycrisp Apple jar. That’s what’s in there, nothing else.” The product has an 18-month shelf life—six months less than competitive jarred baby-food products—due to the lack of preservatives.

Simplicity is key to design
To translate the simplicity, freshness, and quality of the new product through packaging, Dahlen gave Bluedog full rein over the design, without any constraints. “We could not incrementally change our design,” he says. “We needed something transformational.

“Bluedog is a very progressive agency that digs deep into the meaningful relationship a consumer has with a brand, especially our main consumer, young millennial moms. They also have intimate knowledge of simplicity and a strong design competency to deliver the forward-thinking solutions I needed for Beech-Nut.”

After conducting research with millennial moms, Bluedog’s Hayward says the brand agency began to try to translate visually the idea of simplicity. “We found there were key themes of purity, connection, and singularity,” she says. “If you think about what those words mean, you really start to think about the fact that mom has a job to protect her child’s innocence. That’s why she is in the kitchen making the food, that’s why she is deliberate when it comes to anything that goes on that child’s skin or in that child’s mouth. She wants as little as possible to get between the raw ingredients and the final pureed food.

“We took that quite literally. It’s one of the reasons that glass was an imperative for this project and why we developed the brand identity the way we did. What we wanted mom to see when she was turning her cart and going down the aisle were the vibrant colors and textures of the products. ”

The 4.25-oz custom glass jar, supplied by Owens-Illinois, provides a clear view of the product and is designed with a honeypot shape that conveys a homemade, premium appearance. The design allows the jar to nestle in the hand and provides space for a spoon to wrap 360 deg around the inside, “to scrape out every last ounce of that goodness,” says Hayward. “When you think about canning glass, and when you think about premium, there are reasons that glass is used,” she adds. “It really does connote purity and freshness.”

Notes O-I, because glass does not absorb food colors or smells, the food inside keeps its natural taste, smell, and appearance. The glass jar for Beech-Nut is also designed to stack on shelves at retail and in the home, and is 100% recyclable.

Maximizing the visual clarity of the glass jar and reinforcing the idea of the brand’s transparency, Bluedog selected a clear, pressure-sensitive label to decorate the package. A new Beech-Nut logo takes center stage on the label, using a loose script “that represents the sweet connectivity between mom and baby,” Hayward says. Growing out of the “h” in the Beech-Nut brandmark is a tree graphic that ties the brand back to nature and also alludes to the family-centric nature of the company.

Under the logo is positioned the product variety name in lower-case letters. On the right-hand side of the logo is ingredient photography, showing that “it’s really just the good stuff in there,” says Hayward. Each variety is also labeled in the upper left-hand corner with a 1, 2, or 3, designating stage.

Jars are topped with green, twist-on metal closures, decorated on top with the Beech-Nut logo and on the rim with the repeating copy, “100% natural.”

Visual disruption
After installation of a $10 million state-of-the-art production line at the Amsterdam facility (as reported by an article on timesunion.com), Beech-Nut began production of the new brand, which was launched nationwide in early April. The product carries an average retail price of $1.09—a cost on par or close to that of jarred organic baby foods, and about a third less than the average price for pouched foods in the category, according to Dahlen.

“There are a fair amount of retail stores where we are getting premium placement opportunities, either on the shelf or in end caps or displays,” says Dahlen. “The stopping power of the product at shelf is very strong because of the transparent jar and the great colors we have. So much of the category people view as being grey and beige and just not that colorful. That’s something we sought to disrupt, and we have.”

Adds Hayward, “We are taught in the world of package design that we need to scream our equities as loudly as we can—from 30 feet, from 15 feet, from 10 feet. We broke the rules here. What we really wanted to do is reinforce the food. You see the food; it’s glorious, it’s beautiful, it’s vibrant, it’s textured. It’s real food, and we made room for that food to speak to that authenticity and relevancy on its own. I think we took Andy’s mandate of ‘Be disruptive where you can be disruptive’ seriously.”

To see a spin + zoom 360° photo, click here.

When Does Beech Nut Baby Food Expire? –

Your baby is not a time machine! To ensure your little one has the best food, always use fresh ingredients and make sure you date everything.

The “accidentally gave baby expired baby food” is a common occurrence, and it can be difficult to know when the food has gone bad. We have made a list of expiration dates for some popular brands of baby food.

Baby food may only be stored in the refrigerator for three days at a time. If you’re not sure, toss it out.”

What Is the Shelf Life of Beechnut Baby Food?

A Stage 1 puree may be used for infants between the ages of 4 months and 6 years. Most Birch-Nut baby food jars may be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Once opened, keep this jar in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Does Baby Food That Hasn’t Been Opened Expire?

Store-bought baby food frequently lasts at least two years, according to Dr. Michelle Davenport, cofounder and nutritionist at raisedreal.com. The infant food is usually recalled after the last time it was sold. After the ‘use by’ date on infant food, it should be thrown away to avoid spoilage.

 

Where Can I Find Beech Nut’s Expiration Date?

At the bottom of the Beech-Nut Single Rice Cereal canister, you’ll discover the product name and expiry date (which contains a photo below). Several of these product codes were found on e-commerce sites and in retail establishments around the country.

How Long Does Baby Food Last After It Has Expired?

Even though your kid’s baby food is healthy, throw it away after eating it; if you fed him immediately from the container, the saliva might have contaminated the food. Nonetheless, Chapman points out that if the items are still sealed, you may utilize them for a few days longer than the deadline.

Is it OK to eat baby food that has passed its expiration date?

Do not purchase baby formula after the expiry date has passed. Infant formula must also be dated during a Food and Drug Administration examination, albeit this only pertains to bottled formula. Nonetheless, when the expiry date appears on the baby food container, double-check it.

 

How Long Does Baby Food Last?

When keeping shelf-stable foods, they must be kept in pouches for a year. When a product does not need to deteriorate, grocers and infant food manufacturers may sell it as soon as possible.

Is it safe for babies to eat Beechnut Naturals?

Beech-nuts.com stated in a statement that they wanted parents to know that there are natural, nutritious, and safe baby feeding choices available. For babies and toddlers, we employ a safe, high-quality, and healthy meal preparation approach. Our testing processes are of the highest quality and rigor.

Is it Safe to Eat Beech-Nut Purees?

Walmart, Gerber, Beech-Nut, and other brands of baby food, including organic, were found to have significant amounts of arsenic and hazardous metals, according to a congressional inquiry. These metals are thought to harm a child’s brain function when they are exposed to them.

 

How Long Do Baby Food Pouches Last If They Aren’t Opened?

When food is stored in pouches and bags, it may be kept shelf-stable for up to a year. At the same time, retailers and baby food manufacturers cut their unsold product inventories. Since it is created in this manner, shelf-stable food is not much superior in terms of nutrients.

How Long Can You Keep Gerber Baby Food If It Isn’t Opened?

After purchasing, keep baby food in a dark, cold area for 1-2 years. The use of store-bought baby food usually does not need the use of an external refrigerator or freezer. The original plastic container, pouch, or glass jar should be used to keep your baby food.

Is There A Beech-Nut Recall?

Customers have been notified that one batch of Thedaway’s Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal has been recalled. eck-Nut focuses heavily in newborn and kid safety to ensure maximum safety.

 

Is There a Recall of Beech-Nut Baby Food in 2021?

Despite the fact that our rice flour was used in the creation of these goods, random sampling done by the State of Alaska discovered naturally-occurring inorganic arsenic above the FDA guideline threshold in a very small percentage of our Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal products.

How Long Does Jar Baby Food Last?

Only use bottled and tinned foods that have been kept at room temperature for more than two hours. Solid baby foods should be kept in the fridge for at least three days. In the refrigerator, a trained fruit or vegetable will last two to three days, and in the freezer, it will last six to eight months.

The “beech-nut stage 1” is the first stage of baby food that has a shelf life of about six months. It is recommended to store your beech-nut in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Beechnut baby food good for?

A: You should be able to use it for up to six months after the manufacture date.

Does unopened baby food expire?

A: This is a difficult question to answer without more specific information.

Where is Beechnut expiration date?

A: There is no expiration date on the Beechnut.

Related Tags
  • what to do with expired baby food
  • beechnut baby food recall 2021
  • beech-nut baby food recall
  • expired baby food pouch
  • is beech-nut baby food safe

Shelf life of the mixture. How long can dry and ready mix be stored.

Tiunova Elena

Published: 01/15/2023

Reading time: 3.5 min

5647

How to store powdered milk formula

In order for infant formula to be safe, taste and useful properties, it must be stored correctly. This applies to both the dry mix and the already diluted product. Although the conditions and shelf life are indicated on the original packaging, this information is brief and not always clear to inexperienced mothers. Let's deal with all the nuances of this topic in detail.


  • On a separate shelf. If your baby is formula-fed or mixed-fed, it's worth setting aside a separate shelf in your kitchen cabinet - or at least a significant part of it - for storing baby food packages and utensils for preparing it. So you will have everything in one place and always at hand, and the mixture will not come into contact with other products and substances.
  • Store in a cool, dry place. The dry product is sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, so do not put the whole or opened pack in the refrigerator. Due to the increased humidity, condensation will appear on the walls of the package, lumps will form in the mixture. You also need to keep the mixture away from the stove, microwave or oven, sink, direct sunlight. The optimum temperature is room temperature, not higher than +25.
  • Do not overfill. It is better to keep the dry mix in its original packaging, with the carton box closed. So the dry mixture will be less in contact with oxygen, which means that oxidation, due to which the product deteriorates, will go more slowly. In addition, not all containers can be sterilized before pouring dry baby food into them. And on the surface of even clean, in our opinion, dishes, there are enough pathogenic microbes that will actively multiply in such an excellent nutrient medium as milk formula. And even more so, you can’t mix the leftovers from the previous pack with the mixture of powder from the new one or pour the fresh mixture into the jar where the previous one was stored. Convenience and economy are good, but the health of the baby is much more important.
  • Sign when opened. An opened pack can be stored no longer than 3-4 weeks. The manufacturer always indicates the specific period on the packaging. To remember exactly when you opened a new pack, make it a habit to sign the date directly on the box or stick a sticker indicating when the package was opened. Of course, most often the pack ends in a few days and you do not have to store it for weeks. But sometimes this information can come in handy: for example, if a child is mixed-fed and the formula leaves a little, if you forgot about the package you started and opened a new one. It is impossible to use a mixture from a pack that has been opened longer than the period allowed by the manufacturer. Even if it has not changed in appearance, smell and even taste, this product is already dangerous for the baby, whose immune and digestive systems are still immature.

Powdered infant formula has a shelf life of 1.5 years in undamaged original packaging. Be sure to check if it has expired when you buy baby food. Stores, of course, are obliged to ensure that the delay does not stand on the shelves, but your child will have this mixture, so always control this moment.

The expiration date is not set arbitrarily. The manufacturer installs it after rigorous testing and can guarantee that, if properly stored throughout the stated period, infant formula will be safe and retain all its properties. That is, if you see that there are three days left before the expiration date, and your baby copes with a pack of formula in five, then it is better to look for a fresher product. But if there are several weeks before the specified date, and even more so 2-3 months, then be sure that this mixture will be exactly the same in taste, smell and consistency as it just came off the assembly line.

Throw away the mixture after the expiration date. Of course, it will not deteriorate immediately, as soon as the last seconds of the day are over, but it is possible to find out exactly when this will happen only experimentally. Considering that the health of the child is at stake, it is unacceptable to conduct such experiments.

How to store ready-made (diluted) infant formula

The most precise instruction on this item fits into one word: no way. In order for the mixture to be exactly safe for the baby, it must be prepared immediately before feeding.

But there are situations when it is difficult or impossible to fulfill this requirement. For example, while you were diluting the mixture, the baby dozed off, or he mastered only half the portion and became capricious, or you urgently need to leave, and the grandmother, who stayed with the child, is afraid to make a mistake and asks to leave her ready-made food.

Storage advice for reconstituted formula

  • If it is likely that the child will eat the prepared serving within an hour, you can leave it at room temperature, but be sure to throw it away after this time. For feeding the baby, this product will no longer be suitable.
  • The diluted mixture can theoretically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 hours. More precisely, this period can be found in the information on the packaging, as it may differ for different types of mixture. But such cases should be the exception, not the regular practice. Yet, both in taste and texture, food that has already stood in the refrigerator will be inferior to freshly prepared. In addition, when putting the finished mixture in the refrigerator, you need to make sure that there are no products with a strong smell, raw meat or fish, unwashed vegetables and fruits on the shelf nearby.
  • Reheat the prepared mixture only once. If you don't have a dedicated bottle warmer, place it in a container of hot water, take it out and shake it occasionally to evenly warm the contents. Do not heat the mixture in the microwave.
  • If you need to take ready-made formula for a walk or leave it for a relative looking after the baby who does not know how to breed baby food, you can get out of the situation quite simply. Measure the right amount of dry mixture and pour it into a sterile bottle. Pour the required amount of boiled water at the temperature required for dilution into a thermos. Before feeding, pour the water from the thermos into a bottle, mix.

So, when buying infant milk formula, you should remember:

  • Store the formula in a dry place at room temperature, away from other products and household chemicals.
  • Unopened infant formula has a shelf life of one and a half years under proper storage conditions. Throughout this period, the mixture retains its properties.
  • Formula should be diluted immediately before feeding. In exceptional cases, you can store the diluted mixture at room temperature for about an hour and 3-4 hours in the refrigerator.

Author of article

Tiunova Elena

Pediatrician of the highest category, nutritionist, candidate of medical sciences, associate professor of the department of faculty pediatrics and propaedeutics of childhood diseases, Ural State Medical University

About the author

Share on Vkontakte Share on Odnoklassniki

Article contents

  • How to store formula powder

Items from article

Interested

  • How to switch to
    • blend
  • How to properly express and store breast milk
  • Ready-made infant formula. When and how to use?
  • Infant formula from 1 year

Expert advice in the field of certification and declaration

Peculiarities of certification and declaration of products on the territory of the Russian Federation

In order to support business, schemes for processing documents for products have been simplified. Based on Appendix No. 18 (Regulation 6) to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 353 “On the specifics of licensing activities in the Russian Federation in 2022”, which came into force on March 12, 2022, we inform you.

Alexander Gvozdev

Read more