Food Pacific Manufacturing Journal

Feeding baby, feeding mom
IN THIS ISSUE’S health & nutrition, we highlight some interesting developments in baby foods. In a recent scientific session of the American Heart Association, researchers presented the first study on sodium content analysis in baby and toddler foods in the United States. Out of over a thousand products evaluated, 75% were too salty for children’s health. Alarming although notsurprising, this news serves to remind end consumers to read nutrition labels.
Experts also say that children fed with salty foods carry the penchant into their adulthood, and we are well aware of the health repercussions that stem from a high-sodium diet in adults. To add to cardiovascular disease and kidney ailments, a new study claims that a high salt intake adversely affects the bones, particularly in women after menopause. Their chances of breaking a bone (except the spine) increases by more than 4%.
In milk production, research has shown that enriching infant formula with prebiotic fibre appears to improve the microflora of newborns, making the milk almost as good as mother’s milk. This is complemented by another study that says breast milk contains 700 varieties of bacteria.