Where is beechnut baby food made
Beech-Nut Nutrition Production Facility - Food Processing Technology
The new facility will make infant foods and cereal.
The company is the second biggest producer of baby food in the US behind Nestle.
Beech-Nut produces an extensive range of jarred foods for the US market.
Beech-Nut Nutrition is a major manufacturer of baby food products in the US. The company produces an extensive range of products such as sauces, spreads, candy and coffee. The company is best known, however, for its infant nutrition products including cereal products and a range of jarred and tray-packaged meals for babies.
“Beech-Nut Nutrition is a major manufacturer of baby food products in the US.”
The company’s production is centred on two plants in New York State, US. The first, in Canajoharie, has produced baby food products since 1931, while the second plant is at nearby Fort Plain. Swiss manufacturer Hero took over Beech-Nut in 2005 in order to gain market share in the US baby food market from Nestle, which dominates at 70%.
Hero/Beech-Nut is hoping to obtain a 25% market share in the US by 2011. As part of its strategy it has invested $124m in a state-of-the-art, 97,800m² manufacturing and headquarters complex in New York State.
The facility is situated near Route 55 and produces 100,000 cases of baby food every day. Fruit and vegetables used for production are sourced from farms in New York State. The plant opened in June 2010.
Construction
The facility broke ground on a 140-acre site at the Florida Business Park in May 2008 and construction work was completed in December 2009.
The facility consists of a 585,000ft² head office and baby food production and distribution building along with a separate 385,000ft² processing plant to handle the incoming fresh fruit and vegetables. The plant includes a corporate head quarters.
“The company’s production is centred on two plants in New York State.”
Rifenburg Construction of Troy began construction of the facility and carried out preliminary works on the site in May 2008.
The facility was designed by the Facility Design Group using BIM Software and its ONEsource approach for planning, design and construction management. The steel contract for the project was given to Buckner Steel.
As part of the company’s commitment to green issues, the facility was built to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certification. The energy-efficient features include an open floor plan to allow natural light into the facility, water conservation, lower wastewater discharge and maintenance-free landscaping.
Based on these features, the facility was awarded the LEED in June 2011, making it the world’s first baby food production facility to earn this certification.
Financial
Investment for the plant was $124m but Beech-Nut received a number of incentives from the state and county as well as tax advantages and grants amounting to $104.5m. Empire State Development Corp helped finance the project by providing $18m for construction, machinery and equipment.
The project is located in the Amsterdam Empire Zone allowing Beech-Nut to apply for $42m in tax breaks and incentives. In addition, Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency has provided $38.5m in tax incentives.
“The total cost of the Beech-Nut facility expansion was $2.4m.”
Other financial benefits include a $2m grant from the New York Energy Research and Development Authority, a $3m grant from the New York State Assembly, $750,000 from the Department of Housing and Community Renewal and $250,000 from the National Grid. Beech-Nut/Hero had already received an investment from the state in 2006 with $3.85m being provided from Assembly Capital.
Offshoot and consequences
One of the offshoots of the project was the expansion of Richardson Brands, a candy manufacturer situated adjacent to the old Beech-Nut site in Canajoharie. Prior to Beech-Nut’s relocation, Richardson was able to purchase excess steam heat from the Beech-Nut plant. Richardson expanded by installing its own boilers for which it received a grant of $1.
5m from the state and utility officials. The total cost of this expansion was $2.4m.
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frequently asked questions - Beech-Nut
- Our Foods
- Feeding Tips
- Where to Buy
- Packaging & Storage
- About Beech-Nut®
Our Foods
I noticed the new label on "Classics" jars.
What changed?
Our line of classics jar purees (which used to be called Beech-Nut® Classics) has gotten an upgrade! We have improved this line to remove artificial ingredients like ascorbic acid and citric acid. Now, all Beech-Nut® fruit and veggie purees have nothing artificial added. Other than that, the recipe for the jars remains the same, with the same flavor and smooth texture your baby is used to.
The new look for the Classics jars helps communicate the promise of real food with larger graphics so it’s even easier to spot your favorite fruit or veggie combination on shelf.
These product improvements come at no additional cost to our moms & dads. The new products are still WIC™ eligible wherever they were previously.
Is your baby food certified organic?
Our Beech-Nut® Organics line of baby food is certified USDA organic.
Browse our organic products here, including jar purees and cereals.
What does "naturals" mean?
At Beech-Nut®, we make foods for babies using simple, natural ingredients from places that nurture their fruits and vegetables and care about their quality. Beech-Nut Naturals® start with real fruits & veggies that are gently cooked to help preserve their nutrients, vibrant color, and flavor.
To learn more about our Naturals process, click here.
What measures do you take to ensure your foods are high quality?
Did you know we test for 255 pesticides, toxins, and heavy metals?
We have an entire department dedicated to ingredient sourcing. Research goes into finding the phenomenal food that goes into our jars. We build relationships with farms we can trust, and look for opportunities to buy locally whenever we can – like how all of our apples for our Naturals™ range come from about three hours away in upstate New York! We do what it takes to make sure we are using only the best, including turning food away when it isn’t up to our standards.
To read more about our quality standards, click here.
Unrefrigerated fruits and vegetables go bad without added preservatives. How do you have shelf-stable products that are still natural?
The key is in our cooking process, which uses both deaeration and gentle heating. In deaeration we remove air from the puree so the food isn’t exposed to oxygen, which would cause browning and decomposition. The food is then gently cooked, which deactivates enzymes and bacteria that could further break down the food and allows the product to be shelf stable. This is similar to what you’d do when canning at home.
Do Beech-Nut® foods contain GMOs?
We’re working with the Non-GMO Project to verify all our products. We believe that the Non-GMO Project’s seal is a good fit for our products because it is trustworthy, defensible and transparent and (most important) requires ongoing testing.
Right now, over 100 of our products are Non-GMO Project verified, and we’re pursuing all the rest! Look for the butterfly on our packaging in stores. You can learn more and check on the status of our approvals on the Non-GMO Project’s website: livingnongmo.org
Which of your foods are gluten-free?
Any of our products that do not contain wheat or oat are gluten-free. All allergen information is clearly listed on each product’s label. See a full list of our products here.
Which of your foods are Kosher?
Currently, some of our products are certified Kosher. See a full list here.
Which of your foods are Halal?
We do not have any products that are Halal at this time
Which of your foods contain allergens?
We list eight food allergens (wheat, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts & peanuts) on our labels in accordance with FDA requirements.
This information is printed clearly on the labels of those products. Click on each product page to view their ingredients.
Please visit beechnut.com/allergens to see which of our products do contain wheat, milk or egg.
We will start listing products that may contain trace levels of sesame in January 2023.
To learn more about when and how to introduce allergens to your baby, click here.
Do any of your foods contain the soy allergen?
None of our baby foods contain the soy allergen. Search our foods here.
What’s in the broth in Beech-Nut® Stage 1 meat jars? Is it safe to feed to my pet?
The broth in our Stage 1 meat jars (Beef & Beef Broth jar, Chicken & Chicken Broth jar, and Turkey & Turkey Broth jar) is just meat and water. There is no onion, garlic, or other spices in these jars.
What is glyphosate and how do you test for it in your foods?
Glyphosate is a commonly used pesticide, and traces of this chemical can remain on foods sourced from U.S. farms. We want to reassure parents that all Beech-Nut® foods are healthy, nutritious and safe. Our glyphosate standard is 10 times more rigorous than the EPA’s regulatory standard, and for certified organic products, our standard is set at zero. For example, the oat flour in our infant cereal is tested to help ensure that it meets our high standards. Just like you would, we send it back if it doesn’t meet our standards.
Why does there appear to be a ring of food on the bottom of my jar?
Instead of removing all the good fibers in fruits and veggies, we keep them in. This gives you the nutritional value you’d expect of your homemade foods.
Separation or clumping is natural and you may see some of these fibers settle to the bottom of the jar or clump together. Simply stir or shake the jar to mix these fibers in before feeding.
Why are there black specs in the cereal I purchased?
Beech-Nut® cereal is iron fortified to help support your baby’s brain development as a vital nutrient. Iron appears as black specks in the cereal and is completely safe for your baby to consume.
Do Beech-Nut® baby foods contain lead?
Even the highest quality, organic and non-GMO fruits and vegetables contain trace amounts of lead because this contaminant commonly occurs naturally in soil. The FDA states that: “Because lead may be present in environments where food crops are grown and animals used for food are raised, various foods may contain unavoidable but small amounts of lead that do not pose a significant risk to human health.
” We have strict standards and test for up to 255 contaminants for every batch of food we make. Read about our Food Quality and Safety standards here.
What should I do if I have a quality concern or question?
First, look at our FAQS to see if the answer is below. If you have an issue with one of our products, please contact our Consumer Engagement Team via our contact us form. You can also call our Consumer Help Line: 800-233-2468 (open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm EST) or send us a message via Facebook or Twitter.
Feeding Tips
When should I start my baby on solid foods?
Every baby is different! Talk to your pediatrician to understand when your baby is ready to try solid foods in conjunction with formula or breast milk. A good rule of thumb is to start trying solids around 4-6 months.
Your doctor can help you decide when to start and what to try first with a feeding plan. For more information, check out tips from our pediatric nutrition specialist Nicole Silber here on our blog. These are signs your doctor looks for to determine that your baby is ready:
- When your baby can sit with your support.
- When your baby can hold her head up and turn her head away when she’s full.
- When your baby can take food from a spoon and has learned to swallow.
How should I serve Beech-Nut® food?
We recommend serving at room temperature or slightly warmed. If using a microwave, be sure to stir thoroughly, and always test the temperature before serving it to your baby, as uneven heating may occur (note: Do not microwave Beech-Nut® jars that contain meat). A safe alternative to microwaving is placing your jar in a bowl of warm water, then stirring and testing the temperature.
Also, it’s best that you don’t feed directly from the jar, to prevent bacteria growth.
What do the different Stages mean?
These ages are only suggested ranges since every baby develops differently. Do not begin to introduce Stage 3® foods until you are sure your baby has the teeth needed to enjoy these foods. To filter all of our products by the age of your baby, try our search tool here!
- Stage 1® from about 4 months – a delicious introduction to single-ingredient solid food.
- Stage 2® from about 6 months – introduces more single-ingredient foods and perfect pairings of two or more favorites.
- Stage 3® from about 8 months – provides new tastes, new textures and new colors that a few new teeth can enjoy.
- Stage 4® from about 12 months – introduces more complex ingredients for supporting healthy growth and development.
What should I know before moving on to Stage 2® foods?
Once you’ve tried Stage 1® single-ingredient foods and learned which ones agree with your baby, you can serve mixtures of those foods.
Unless your doctor says otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to start mixed-ingredient foods at about six months. There are a few things to keep in mind:
- If your baby was sensitive to any single food, don’t feed a combination food that contains it.
- It’s okay to keep single-ingredient foods in your baby’s diet.
- Breast milk or formula is the critical foundation of your baby’s diet for the first 12 months, so keep feeding at every meal.
The product looks different than the last time I bought it – why?
Each year’s crop can be slightly different, as you’d expect in your own home garden from season to season. This can result in a product that is slightly thicker or thinner, or a product that may also taste slightly different from each other because of crop variety.
What does an allergic reaction look like?
Always check with your doctor if your baby shows any sign of an allergic reaction.
Food allergy reactions vary greatly. Symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, coughing, runny nose and watery eyes. A good rule to follow is to introduce just one new food every 3 to 5 days to help identify any possible allergies. With this in mind, our Beech-Nut® Stage 1® foods are “single-ingredient” foods, and all our cereals are soy-free, to provide you a convenient and healthful way to check for food allergies in your little one.
How can I feed my baby safely to help prevent foodborne illness?
Take extra care when handling and preparing any baby food, since infants and young children can be more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses (caused by bacteria or viruses, for example salmonella). The most important rule: always wash your hands before feeding time, since your hands can pick up harmful bacteria from pets, raw food, soil, or diapers.
Here are some other tips for safe feeding.
- Inspect the baby food’s packaging before you serve it, ensuring that the safety button on the lid of the jar is down and that pouches aren’t swelling or leaking.
- Always use a clean spoon for serving, and don’t put the spoon in your mouth or anyone else’s mouth.
- Never leave opened baby food out at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Store opened baby food in the refrigerator, but only for a maximum of three days. “When in doubt, throw it out!”
- See the FDA’s safe feeding and handling tips here. This page includes information about how to microwave baby food, how to store unused baby food, and when to call the doctor if you think your baby has a foodborne illness.
Where to Buy
Can I purchase foods directly from Beech-Nut®?
Unfortunately, we do not have a direct to consumer online ordering program.
Typically, we only sell to retail partners who order truckloads of food. We would love to be able to sell directly however, as a small company, we do not currently have the capability to ship directly to parents’ homes. If you are looking for alternative stores where you can find our products, check out our store locator.
Which stores near me carry Beech-Nut®?
All stores and online retailers that carry Beech-Nut® foods can be found via our store locator.
Do you sell Beech-Nut® on Amazon or online?
Yes, try our store locator to see which items you can buy online at Walmart.com, Target.com, Kroger.com, and, now, Amazon!
Are Beech-Nut foods WIC eligible?
We believe in real food for all.
That’s why we’re proud to offer our delicious baby foods, made simply with just real ingredients to families in the WIC™ program. Find eligible products in your area as well as other information about the program here.
Do you have any coupon offers?
Yes, we periodically post coupons on our website and social media accounts like Facebook. Or, you can sometimes find cash-back offers on the mobile app, Ibotta. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive valuable offers for your baby’s age.
Do you have a sampling program?
No, we do not currently have a free samples program. You can sign up for our newsletter here to find out about upcoming promotions.
Packaging & Storage
How do I store your foods?
All products are designed to be stored at room temperature before opening.
Freezing before use is not recommended. After opening, please refer to the label on each individual product for proper handling and storage information.
Why did you choose glass jars instead of plastic?
Beech-Nut® was the first U.S. baby food to use recyclable glass jars, which protect the taste, smell or texture of our foods.
Our glass jars make it easy to see what’s inside: the beautiful colors and natural textures of nothing but real fruits and vegetables. A few more reasons to love our jars:
- They are infinitely recyclable.
- They’re BPA-free (like all of our packaging!)
- There are a million fun ways to reuse them (check out our DIYs)
Are your pouches recyclable?
Not currently, but we are listening to your feedback and are actively working on a recyclable pouch option.
Where can I find the "best by" date? (Expiration date)
- For cereals—the best by date can be found on the bottom of the canister.
- For jars—the best by date can be found on the top or side of the lid.
- For pouches—the best by date can be found on the bottom of the pouch near the barcode.
- For Melties—the best by date can be found on the bottom of the pouch near the barcode.
- Toddler Snack Bars—the best by date can be found on the bottom of the carton and on each individual bar.
Does your packaging contain BPAs?
No BPAs are used in the formulation of any of our packaging materials (pouches, jars, lids, material inside our lids, canisters, etc.
)
How do I know if my jar was stored improperly?
The texture and color of our purees will change if the jars are stored improperly. This is because ingredients like bananas are a temperature-sensitive. For example, when bananas are exposed to extreme temperatures, they can become clumpy. They can also turn pink or develop a thick film that may look like the skin you would find on pudding. If your jar is showing any of these characteristics, then the jar was most likely not stored according to our guidelines. While there are no health or food safety risks associated with the affected jars, they are not up to the quality of the food we strive to produce. Please call our Consumer Help Line: 1–800-233–2468 and we will happily replace the damaged jars.
What should I do if the jar lid didn’t pop?
Every jar of Beech-Nut food should pop when you open it.
If your jar didn’t pop, don’t use the food. We will happily replace your damaged jar if you call our Consumer Help Line: 1-800-233-2468 and let us know.
About Beech-Nut®
Where are your foods produced?
Most of our foods are produced at our headquarters in Amsterdam, New York. We’ve been a proud resident of upstate New York since 1891. Some foods, like our snacks and some pouches, are produced elsewhere.
How can I sign up for news and promotions?
Sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to fill out your location and age of baby so we send you personalized news and offers.
How can I see what jobs are available at Beech-Nut Nutrition?
Look at our Careers page and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to see company news.
Who should I contact if I have an issue with one of your products?
We take quality complaints very seriously. If you have an issue with one of our products, please call our Consumer Help Line: 800-233-2468 (open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST) or send us a message.
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Shortage of infant formula in the United States: why a state of emergency is introduced in cities and whether it threatens Russia
In the United States, there is an acute shortage of infant formula milk. According to the Datasembly agency, in early May, the deficit in warehouses across the country was 43%. The crisis is so serious that dry food is delivered to certain regions on military aircraft from Europe. What happened and does the same thing happen to Russia?
What's happening to baby food in the US
In late 2021, four parents contacted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complain that their children had contracted a rare and dangerous bacterial infection after taking infant formula.
infection with Cronobacter sakazakii, which resulted in death in two cases. Another application was filed by the parents of an infant who was hospitalized with Salmonella Newport.
On January 31, 2022, FDA inspectors came to inspect Abbott Nutrition, the largest manufacturer of infant formula in the United States, and found serious food safety violations, and found five different strains of Cronobacter there (although not Cronobacter was among them sakazakii). In mid-February, at the end of the review, Abbott Nutrition recalled batches of products from stores and suspended the production line until the problem was fixed. So the country was left without the largest plant for the production of infant formula for several months - a supplier of about 20% of all mixtures in the country.
Empty shelves in the infant formula department. USA. State of Georgia. Photo: Erik S. Lesser / EPA / TASS According to Datasembly, the states of Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas were the first to experience shortages, but now in 25 states infant formula is out of stock in 40-50% of stores, and in five states - in more than half of the outlets.
In this regard, on May 18, US President Joe Biden applied the Defense Production Act and allowed the use of Department of Defense aircraft to deliver products from abroad. He also required suppliers to send ingredients to infant formula manufacturers before any other companies. And on May 22, the mayor of New York declared a state of emergency in the city due to the lack of milk formula for children - it prohibits retailers from raising prices for scarce goods.
The British Daily Mail reports that the remaining two monopolists, Walgreens and CVS, have imposed a ban on the sale of more than three units of baby food in one hand, and the popular online store Target.com - more than four. The FDA cites data that baby food manufacturers Gerber (USA) and Reckitt (UK) have increased the production of infant formula since the beginning of the year - by 50% and 30%, respectively.
How to solve this problem
However, the problem is that the manufacturers that remain on the market do not make enough formula for children with metabolic diseases, allergies and other conditions that require a special diet.
Parents are sounding the alarm: Minnesota Public Radio news portal reports that there are already cases of hospitalization of children in Tennessee, Georgia, Wisconsin and other states due to nutritional problems.
On May 23, USA Today reported that a military cargo plane arrived in Indianapolis carrying the first batch of Nestle hypoallergenic infant formula from Germany. In total, there were 35 tons of baby food on board. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in an interview with NBC News, said that this amount would be enough for 9,000 babies and 18,000 toddlers within one week.
Military aircraft loaded with infant formula. USA. Indianapolis. Photo: Michael Conroy / AP / TASSAccording to The Washington Post, Abbott CEO Robert Ford apologized for the deficit and promised to set up a $5 million fund to help affected families cover medical and living expenses until until the supply crisis is resolved.
When Abbot Laboratories returns to the market
Robert Ford told The Washington Post that Abbott Nutrition has retooled its adult food lines at its Ohio plant to produce pre-packaged liquid infant formula and shipped millions of cans of its most sought-after dry formula from its Irish facility .
In March, the company reported that it did not detect Cronobacter sakazakii in any sample of the mixture at the Michigan plant (signs of bacteria were detected in the non-contact area with the product) and regularly conducts tests, hoping to eliminate all violations by the summer.
On May 16, the Court for the Western District of Michigan granted a reopening of proceedings after all violations were resolved. According to the head of the company, if the plant passes the test, new mixtures will appear on store shelves in 6-8 weeks.
Abbott will face $30,000 in damages for each day of violation if it fails to comply.
And what about in Russia
After the closure of the plant in the USA, the company's branch in Israel, Abbott Israel, announced the withdrawal of mixtures of Similac Alimentum and Similac HMF (Human Milk Fortifier), produced at the same Michigan plant. There are also representative offices of Abbott in Russia. In particular, the Russian Veropharm factories in the Vladimir region, Belgorod and Voronezh produce Dufalac, Duspatalin, Duphaston drugs - but these are medicines, not baby food.
The main brands of Abbott baby food in Russia are Similak, Similak Premium for healthy babies, Similak Hypoallergenic for children with a high risk of allergies, Similak Low Lactose for children with lactose intolerance, Similak Antireflux, formulas for premature babies "Similak Special Care" and "Similak NeoSure", as well as a comprehensive and balanced diet "PediaSure", intended for children aged 1 to 10 years. They, according to the information on the packages, are produced in Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland.
According to Rosstat, from April 30 to May 6, prices for powdered milk formulas for baby food in Russia increased by 1.1%. Thus, since the beginning of the year, the price of mixtures has already increased by 7.02%. This was caused by fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate and problems with logistics. Against this background, Abbott Labs, Danone (Tyoma, Malyutka, Rastishka, Nutrilon) and Nestle (sells NAN, Gerber, Nestle, Nestogen) announced the termination of investments in the Russian Federation and the reduction of the range.
However, there is no information that the supply of products may stop.
Cover image: Liderina / Shutterstock / Fotodom
rating of the top 10 Russian and foreign brands with reviews according to KP
Goods for children are always subject to 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 baby food manufacturers. 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". Photo: yandex.market.ruAgusha 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).
There are mixtures in the product line; a wide range of.
High price for some items.
2. "FrutoNyanya"
"FrutoNyanya". Photo: yandex.market.ru 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
| Manufacturer | Progress |
| Assortment | purees, drinks, soups, snacks, cereals, snacks, water |
| Recommended age | from 0 months |
| Founded | 2000 |
Pros and cons
There are hypoallergenic products.
May contain allergenic ingredients (eg sugar).
3. "Grandmother's Lukoshko"
"Grandmother's Lukoshko". Photo: yandex.market.ruThe 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.
Main characteristics
| manufacturer | "Sivma" |
| Assortment | puree, finished dinner, drinks, fruit pastures |
| Recommended age 9 recommended age | from 4 months |
| Founded | 1999 |
Pros and cons
Relatively low price in the segment; varied products.
There may be undesirable auxiliary components in the formulation (eg salt).
4. "Subject"
"Subject". Photo: yandex.market.ru"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).
Main characteristics
| Manufacturer | "Danon Russia" | |
| Assortment | puree, dairy products | |
| C 6 months | ST |
Pros and cons
Innovative packaging; high meat content.
There are no fruit products in the assortment.
5. Diaper
Diaper. Photo: market.yandex.ruAll 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.
Main characteristics
| Manufacturer | “Gardens Podonia” | ||||||
| Assortment | puree, drinks, cream, cereal | ||||||
| Recommended age | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | 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
Gerber. Photo: yandex.market.ruThe 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.
Main characteristics
| manufacturer | Nestle | ||||||
| Assortment | puree, juices, snacks, desserts | ||||||
| Recommended age | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months | from 4 months0062 | |
| Founded | 1927 |
Pros and cons
Hypoallergenic products; natural composition; high quality.
High price in the baby food segment.
2. HiPP
HiPP. Photo: yandex.market.ruGerman 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.
Main characteristics
| Manufacturer | HIPP |
| Assortment | puree, cereals, drinks, snacks, dry dairy mixtures |
| Recommended age | 9.0065|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Year founded | 1957 |
Pros and cons
Natural composition; There are baby formulas in the assortment.
High price of products.
3. Fleur Alpine
Fleur Alpine. Photo: yandex.market.ruNatural 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
Semper. Photo: yandex.market.ruThe 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.
Main characteristics
| manufacturer | Hero Group |
| Assortment | Milk mixes, puree, cereal, drinks, cookies |
| Recommended age | C 0 months 9 months 9 months 9.0065 |
| Country of origin | Sweden |
| Founded | 1963 |
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
Heinz. Photo: yandex.market.ru 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.
Main characteristics
| manufacturer | Heinz |
| Assortment | puree, soups, vermichel, puddings, cookies, teas |
| Recommended age | 9 months 9 months 9 months 9 months 9 months 9.US |
| Year of Manufacture | 1869 |
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 must 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 individually.
• 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
- Once again about baby food. Ladodo K. S. 2003.
- Roskachestvo rating. Children's cottage cheese "Agusha". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/tvorog-detskiy-fruktovyy-agusha-multifruktovyy-s-massovoy-doley-zhira-3-9/
- 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/
- Roskachestvo rating.
Biocurd "FrutoNyanya". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/biotvorog-frutonyanya-yabloko-obogashchennyy-vitaminom-d3-s-massovoy-doley-zhira-4-2-dlya-pitaniya-d/ - Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge "FrutoNyanya". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/frutonyanya-pervyy-vybor-grechnevaya-kasha/
- Roskachestvo rating. Apple puree "Babushkino Lukoshko" URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/pyure-fruktovoe-gomogenizirovannoe-sterilizovannoe-dlya-pitaniya-detey-rannego-vozrasta-s-4-mesyatse/
- Roskachestvo rating. Biocurd "Theme". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/biotvorog-tyema-obogashchennyy-bifidobakteriyami-s-grushey-dlya-detskogo-pitaniya-massovaya-dolya-zh/
- Roskachestvo rating. Apple juice "Theme". URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/sok-yablochnyy-vostanovlennyy-osvetlennyy-dlya-detskogo-pitaniya/
- Roskachestvo rating. Buckwheat porridge Gerber. URL: https://rskrf.ru/goods/bezmolochnaya-kasha-gerber-grechnevaya/
- Roskachestvo rating. Porridge "Three cereals" Fleur Alpine.
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