One for you, baby

There has been a lot of talk lately about the infant formula situation globally. Euromonitor International has put the infant formula market set to reach €3.6bn in global  sales this year, with places such as Asia and in particular, China, driving growth. No wonder most large multinationals with any sense are rushing to put up powder plants for processing whey into highly desirable baby-friendly fractions.

However, there is some doubt around infant formula’s older cousin, growing-up milk or toddler milk, particularly at the European Food Safety Authority, which has put out a report on the use of such milk-based formula. It concluded: “It does not bring additional value to a balanced diet in meeting the nutritional requirements of young children in the European Union. EFSA’s scientific experts could identify ‘no unique role’ for young-child formula (in the diet of young children (those aged 1-3), concluding that it is no more effective in providing nutrients than other foods that constitute the normal diet of young children.”

We can look at it either way. On the one hand, boo to EFSA for trying to dampen enthusiasm for such products. On the other hand, children should drink more milk and eat more yogurt and cheese. I’ve personally seen some mothers use “growing-up milks” as an excuse to feed their children rubbish, instead of providing them with proper dairy – and that’s not right either. But “growing up milk” is better than no dairy at all.