The British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) - the trade association representing manufacturers of products designed to meet the nutritional needs of individuals at different lifestages or with specific health requirements – has responded to a recent report from consumer advice magazine Which?
The report said that that some toddler milks contain more sugar and less calcium than cow's milk, and that parents could save more than £500 a year by giving their child cow's milk instead of toddler milk.
“Toddler milks are specially made for young children combining the overall benefits of milk with the addition of essential nutrients including Vitamin D and iron not normally found in whole cows’ milk,” said Roger Clarke, director general of BSNA. “Many toddlers are not getting the nutrients they need from their diet. A survey commissioned for the Government in 2011 showed that toddlers in the UK do not receive enough vitamin D and iron. Dr. Benjamin Jacobs, consultant Paediatrician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, has suggested that up to a quarter of children under five have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. Toddler milk is a convenient and healthy way to provide essential nutrients to toddlers particularly as vitamin drops are not widely used by parents for infants aged 12-18 months.”
“Toddler milks also contain around half the amount of protein than cow’s milk, 60% less sodium and less saturated fat than cows’ milk. There is emerging evidence to support a reduction of protein in young children’s diets.”
“Toddler milks adhere to strict European regulations and do not contain added sugars,” concluded Clarke. “They contain lactose, the sugar naturally present in cows’ milk and breast milk, which is ‘teeth neutral’ due to the protective factors in milk.”
The Which? Research revealed that 46% of mothers with children between one and three years had used toddler milks, even though the government says they are not necessary.
A 300ml serving of cow's milk (the government daily recommended serving) provides all the calcium a one to three year old needs, said Which? – while the recommended daily serving of several of the toddler milks does not.
Cow's milk contains 4.7g sugar per 100ml, compared to 7.9g of sugar per 100ml of Hipp Organic Combiotic Growing up milk, said Which? and some daily servings contain twice as much sugar - three teaspoons a day for cow's milk compared to seven teaspoons a day for SMA Toddler milk. SMA Toddler milk also contains vanilla flavouring, which encourages children to prefer sweetened products, according to Which?
Which? also claims that toddler milks are expensive. Following manufacturers' instructions, a recommended daily serving of powdered toddler milk can cost up to £235 per year. Using ready-to-feed toddler milk increases this cost goes to up to £593. By comparison, the annual cost of 300ml of cow's milk is £62.
“At a time when so many household budgets are severely squeezed, parents could be saving hundreds of pounds on toddler milks that the government says are unnecessary,” said Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd. “Ministers should make their advice much clearer and introduce guidance on the ingredients of toddler milks, including the level of sugar and calcium.”
The report said that that some toddler milks contain more sugar and less calcium than cow's milk, and that parents could save more than £500 a year by giving their child cow's milk instead of toddler milk.
“Toddler milks are specially made for young children combining the overall benefits of milk with the addition of essential nutrients including Vitamin D and iron not normally found in whole cows’ milk,” said Roger Clarke, director general of BSNA. “Many toddlers are not getting the nutrients they need from their diet. A survey commissioned for the Government in 2011 showed that toddlers in the UK do not receive enough vitamin D and iron. Dr. Benjamin Jacobs, consultant Paediatrician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, has suggested that up to a quarter of children under five have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. Toddler milk is a convenient and healthy way to provide essential nutrients to toddlers particularly as vitamin drops are not widely used by parents for infants aged 12-18 months.”
“Toddler milks also contain around half the amount of protein than cow’s milk, 60% less sodium and less saturated fat than cows’ milk. There is emerging evidence to support a reduction of protein in young children’s diets.”
“Toddler milks adhere to strict European regulations and do not contain added sugars,” concluded Clarke. “They contain lactose, the sugar naturally present in cows’ milk and breast milk, which is ‘teeth neutral’ due to the protective factors in milk.”
The Which? Research revealed that 46% of mothers with children between one and three years had used toddler milks, even though the government says they are not necessary.
A 300ml serving of cow's milk (the government daily recommended serving) provides all the calcium a one to three year old needs, said Which? – while the recommended daily serving of several of the toddler milks does not.
Cow's milk contains 4.7g sugar per 100ml, compared to 7.9g of sugar per 100ml of Hipp Organic Combiotic Growing up milk, said Which? and some daily servings contain twice as much sugar - three teaspoons a day for cow's milk compared to seven teaspoons a day for SMA Toddler milk. SMA Toddler milk also contains vanilla flavouring, which encourages children to prefer sweetened products, according to Which?
Which? also claims that toddler milks are expensive. Following manufacturers' instructions, a recommended daily serving of powdered toddler milk can cost up to £235 per year. Using ready-to-feed toddler milk increases this cost goes to up to £593. By comparison, the annual cost of 300ml of cow's milk is £62.
“At a time when so many household budgets are severely squeezed, parents could be saving hundreds of pounds on toddler milks that the government says are unnecessary,” said Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd. “Ministers should make their advice much clearer and introduce guidance on the ingredients of toddler milks, including the level of sugar and calcium.”
