mrdecember123
7 days ago
fwiw-
HEALTH
Toddler milk is βpotentially harmful,β AAP warns amid calls for stricter regulations
Toddler beverages βundermine breastfeeding and child health,β the World Health Organization claims
By Shiv Sudhakar Fox News
Published April 22, 2024 5:30am EDT
Families still affected by baby formula shortages
Pennsylvania mother of two Racheal Devore demanding answers from manufacturers as she struggles to find the formula needed for her baby, says prices going up.
Toddler milk products have grown into a multibillion-dollar global business, despite warnings from health authorities that the benefits of this milk formula are unproven.
The products are marketed with claims of improving brain development or immune function, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned in an Oct. 2023 report that toddler formula is "unnecessary and potentially harmful to young children."
"For healthy toddlers without a specific medical diagnosis, there is no evidence of a need [for] or benefit from toddler milk," Dr. Jenelle Ferry, a neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group in Tampa, Florida, told Fox News Digital in an interview.
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In spite of these warnings, toddler milk has grown into a $20 billion worldwide business, according to a recent report.
"It is disappointing that regulations have not been strengthened, given package claims and marketing messages that imply toddler milks are beneficial, or even necessary, for a toddlerβs healthy growth," Fran Fleming-Milici, PhD, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut, told Fox News Digital.
Toddler milk split
Toddler milk has grown into a $20 billion worldwide business, according to a recent report, even as some say that "for healthy toddlers without a specific medical diagnosis, there is no evidence of a need [for] or benefit from toddler milk." (Getty/iStock)
Infant formula vs. toddler milk
Most infants in the U.S. receive some or all of their nutrition from formula, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Standard infant formula can be supplemented with appropriate solid foods at around 4 to 6 months of age, ensuring intake of essential nutrients like iron, calcium and zinc, the AAP said in a previous statement.
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Infant formula is regulated under The Infant Formula Act, which requires that the products meet nutritional requirements as the only source for babies through the first 12 months of age, the statement added.
If a toddler beverage is intended for infants younger than 12 months, the product must comply with the FDAβs infant formula regulations in addition to all other applicable food regulations, an FDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Toddler milk
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned in an Oct. 2023 report that toddler formula is "unnecessary and potentially harmful to young children." Advocates for the formula, however, feel differently. (iStock)
There are two different types of toddler milk on the market: transition formulas for infants and toddlers 9 months to 24 months old, and toddler milk for children 12 months to 36 months age, according to a previous research report from the NYU College of Global Public Health.
Unlike infant formulas, toddler milks are not nutritionally complete, experts said.
"A healthy diet for toddlers would limit excess processed foods, salt and sugar."
Approximately 80% of toddler milks have higher sugar content than whole milk and 100% have less protein, the AAP stated.
After toddlers are weaned off breast milk or infant formula, Ferry recommends that they drink milk and water, with the majority of their nutrients coming from solid foods.
"A healthy diet for toddlers would limit excess processed foods, salt and sugar," she said.
Regulation of toddler milk
"Toddler beverage products intended for children 1 year and older are regulated as conventional foods and must comply with the FDAβs labeling regulations," an FDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
"This includes providing the Nutrition Facts label, specifically for children 1 to 3 years of age."
When it comes to marketing toddler milks, manufacturers must adhere to certain rules.
Toddler milk
Most infants in the U.S. receive some or all of their nutrition from formula, according to the FDA. (iStock)
"Manufacturers cannot make claims regarding disease conditions, but can use language relating to symptoms, even if they are not supported by evidence," he told Fox News Digital in an email.
They can claim their product is lactose-free, for example β but cannot claim that it is helpful for lactase deficiency, he said.
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"Nutrient content claims or health claims are not allowed on food products intended specifically for use by infants and children under 2 years of age unless specifically provided for by regulation," added the FDA spokesperson.
"In general, the product labeling must be truthful and not misleading."
Cross-promotion in marketing and packaging
Some experts warn that infant formula and toddler milk are often marketed and packaged in a way that may lead parents to believe they are the same in terms of nutritional content.
"The cross-promotion of toddler milks with infant formula β¦ allows for the trust caregivers have for formula brands to be transferred to a product that is not regulated, contains added sugar, and is not recommended by the AAP," warned Fleming-Milici.
Baby food
Standard infant formula can be supplemented with appropriate solid foods at around 4 to 6 months of age, ensuring intake of essential nutrients like iron, calcium and zinc, the AAP said. (iStock)
"Research shows that these messages lead caregivers to believe toddler milks are superior to their family meals and plain cowβs milk β which is much less expensive and is what experts recommend."
A WHO report noted that "formula milk marketing, not the product itself, disrupts informed decision-making and undermines breastfeeding and child health."
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Showing parents educational videos to correct misleading marketing can help to reduce sugary drink consumption in the first few years of a childβs life, Fleming-Miliciβs research found.
"Exposure to the videos significantly reduced positive attitudes toward toddler milks and fruit drinks, and reduced intentions to serve both," she told Fox News Digital.
Potential nutritional benefits
Advocates, however, argue that toddler formula is helpful to many young children who donβt get the proper nutrients in their diet.
"In general, the product labeling must be truthful and not misleading."
"Research demonstrates that nutrient intake for young children often falls below adequate levels for iron, vitamins D and E, calcium, choline, potassium and fiber," a spokesperson from the Infant Nutrition Council of America (INCA) told Fox News Digital.
INCA is a Washington, D.C.-based association of manufacturers of infant formulas and toddler milks, representing brands including Abbott Nutrition, Gerber Products Company, Perrigo Nutritionals and Reckitt Benckiser.
Powdered formula
Advocates argue that toddler formula is helpful to many young children who donβt get the proper nutrients in their diet. (iStock)
"For kids 12 months to 36 months who need nutritional support, toddler nutritional drinks have been shown to contribute to nutritional intake and potentially fill nutrition gaps, as recognized globally in the international Codex Alimentarius standard," the INCA spokesperson added.
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When children need extra nutrition because of a medical condition β such as failure to thrive or an intestinal or metabolic disorder β they should receive specialty liquid nutrition rather than products marketed as toddler milk, Ferry noted.
A spokesperson from NestlΓ©, which makes a variety of powdered milk products for toddlers, said in response to an earlier Fox News Digital query that the company "seeks to provide a range of foods and beverages to support consumers at all stages of life."
toddler playing with bead maze
"National health studies indicate that U.S. toddlers have nutritional gaps in their diet often related to picky eating," (iStock)
The spokesperson added, "NestlΓ© has consistent standards that apply to our responsible marketing for products intended for babies and young children. Those standards and practices fully comply with the WHO [World Health Organization] code and follow either local law or our own policy β whichever is stricter."
A spokesperson from Similac also submitted a statement to Fox News Digital in response to an earlier query as well.
"National health studies indicate that U.S. toddlers have nutritional gaps in their diet often related to picky eating," the spokesperson said. "When they donβt do well transitioning to table foods, or wonβt drink milk, our toddler drinks contain many of the complementary nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that they may be missing in their diet."
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The spokesperson also said, "Toddler drinks may be an option to help fill nutrient gaps for these children 12 to 36 months of age. Abbott does not recommend or indicate its toddler drinks for infants under 12 months of age."
Fox News Digital also reached out to other companies that make powdered milk products for toddlers.
Parents of young children should always check with their pediatricians for the best and latest nutrition advice.
pual
3 weeks ago
The recent financials show the following:
- Inventories in 2023 are $ 7,258, 000 vs $ 5,910,000 in 2022 = an increase of 22,8%
- Inventories make 48% of total current assets in 2023 or double what it was in 2022 (23,8%)
- Auditors comments: ββWe considered this a key audit matter due to the magnitude of the inventories balance and the large number of inventory locations.ββ
What did our CEO do in 2023?
- She kept adding shelves (locations all over the world)
- Advertising $ 4,378,000 was cut by 26,5% relative to 2022 ($ 5,955,000)
- In her PR/NR covering the 2023 financials, she proudly write: ββOperating expenses decreased 23% ($16.8 to $21.8 million). ... 31,5% of that reduction was in advertising.
If that does'nt support my argument that she has no clue how to manage the company, I do not know what is needed. She should hire a CEO experienced in developping a mass marketing type company and make herself responsible for R&D and product development.
Unfortunately I do not believe her ego can support such an absolutely required reorganisation.
Out of touch with reality, she is proud to see her gross revenue grow 10% but doesn'f understand that to succeed she need to grow the gross revenues by 3 to 4 time that number (at least) annually. The only way to do that is to make our targetted market aware of what we offer.
That can only be achieved by focussing on specific locations (instead of adding locations and inventories) and by investing in marketing/advertizing focussed on these locations.
She obviously doesn't understand that and her failing strategy seems to be to add shelves and locations believing that targetted customers will find out what the unknown boxes on the shelves are all about, by themselves.
Patiently,
Roger
chilar4567
1 month ago
Else Nutrition Schedules 2023 Fiscal Year Business Update Conference Call
12:07 PM ET 3/21/24 | GlobeNewswire
Else Nutrition Schedules 2023 Fiscal Year Business Update Conference Call
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ELSE NUTRITION HOLDINGS INC. (BABY) (BABYF) (0YL.F) ("Else" or the "Company"), today announced that it plans to host a business update conference call at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on April 1, 2024 to discuss the Company's financial results for the 2023 fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the Company's corporate progress and other developments.
The conference call will be available via telephone by dialing toll free 1-877-704-4453 for U.S. callers or +1-201-389-0920 for international callers. A webcast of the call may be accessed at https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1661271&tp_key=87e7860827 or on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.elsenutrition.com/.
A webcast replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website (https://investors.elsenutrition.com/), through April 1, 2025. A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately three hours following the call, through April 8, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for U.S. callers or +1-412-317-6671 for international callers and entering conference ID: 13745059.
To delve deeper into Else Nutrition's offerings and its revolutionary approach to kids' nutrition, visit www.elsenutrition.com.
About Else Nutrition Holdings Inc.
Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. (TSX: BABY, OTCQX: BABYF, FSE: 0YL) is a food and nutrition company in the international expansion stage focused on developing innovative, clean, and plant-based food and nutrition products for infants, toddlers, children, and adults. Its revolutionary, plant-based, non-soy formula is a clean-ingredient alternative to dairy-based formulas. Since launching its Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers, made of whole foods, almonds, buckwheat, and tapioca, the brand has received thousands of powerful testimonials and reviews from parents, gained national retailer support, and achieved rapid sales growth.
Awards and Recognition:
-- "2017 Best Health and Diet Solutions" award at Milan's Global Food
Innovation Summit
-- #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the Fall of 2020 in the New Baby & Toddler
Formula Category
-- "Best Dairy Alternative" Award 2021 at World Plant-Based Expo
-- Nexty Award Finalist at Expo West 2022 in the Plant-Based lifestyle
category
-- During September 2022, Else Super Cereal reached the #1 Best Seller in
Baby Cereal across all brands on Amazon
Investor Relations Contact:
Alexandra Schilt
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Office: (212) 671-1020
Email: baby@crescendo-ir.com
TSX
Neither the TSX nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to the anticipated dates for filing the company's financial disclosure documents. Such forward-looking statements reflect current estimates, beliefs, and assumptions, which are based on management's perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurance can be given that the foregoing will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements made in this press release assume, among others, the expectation that there will be no interruptions or supply chain failures as a result of COVID-19 and that the manufacturing, broker, and supply logistic agreement with the company does not terminate. Actual results may differ from the estimates, beliefs, and assumptions expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
> Dow Jones Newswires
March 21, 2024 12:07 ET (16:07 GMT)