Search

In response to the need for better guidance and regulation for commercially produced infant and toddler foods and beverages, the WHO Regional Office for Europe published a Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (hereafter NPPM) in 2022. This study assessed the nutritional and promotional profile of infant and toddler foods (for ages 6–36 months) sold in Australian supermarkets in 2022 using the NPPM. The main types of claims used for product promotion were also examined and results were presented by category and by packaging type. Nutrient and claims data were extracted for commercially produced infant and toddler products from The George Institute's FoodSwitch database. Products were classified according to NPPM food categories and assessed against relevant nutritional and promotional requirements. Of the 309 products examined, 78% failed to meet the nutritional requirements of the NPPM, and 0% met the promotional requirements. Every product had at least one claim on‐pack that was prohibited under the NPPM, with some products displaying up to 21 different claims on‐pack. Pouches had the highest number of prohibited claims of all packaging types. Findings highlight that urgent work is needed to improve the nutritional quality of commercially produced infant and toddler foods in Australia. The high use of prohibited claims also suggests the need to regulate the type and number of claims that can be made on‐pack, as parents and carers could easily be misled by the deceptive labelling that is currently allowed to be displayed. Key messages: Every commercially produced infant and toddler food product available in Australian supermarkets in 2022 failed to meet World Health Organization recommendations for product promotion.A total of 78% of products did not meet the overall nutritional requirements. This was most commonly due to products failing energy and total sugar content requirements.Up to 21 different claims were found on product packaging, with products on average displaying 6.7 claims.Pouches, which have experienced rapid growth in the infant and toddler food market in Australia, currently represent more than 50% of all products available on supermarket shelves. This is concerning, given these products had the highest use of prohibited claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: To assess the nutritional composition of commercially available foods (CAFs) for infants and toddlers sold in Australia to determine whether they meet World Health Organization (WHO) Europe's proposed standards for nutritionally appropriate foods for children <36 months. Methods: A cross‐sectional retail audit of infant (n = 177) and toddler (n = 73) foods found in‐store and online at three major Victorian supermarkets was conducted in August/September 2019. Products were grouped according to WHO Europe's food categories and their nutrient content assessed against specific composition standards applicable to their category. The presence of added sugar in each product was also recorded. Results: Most infant products (71%) were soft‐wet spoon‐able, ready‐to‐eat foods whereas the most prevalent category for toddler products was dry finger foods and snacks (71%). Overall, just one‐third of CAFs met all the nutrient recommendations for their category, with infant foods more likely to be compliant than toddler foods (43% vs. 10%; P <.001). Around 9 in 10 infant (93%) and toddler (89%) CAFs contained added sugar according to the Public Health England definition of 'free' sugars. Conclusions: There is considerable scope to improve the nutritional composition of Australian CAFs for both infants and toddlers, to reduce harmful sugars in these foods and to improve the energy density of them. For CAFs marketed as suitable for toddlers there is also considerable scope to reduce the sodium content. So what?: These findings support the need for stronger regulation of CAFs for infants and toddlers to better promote healthy eating patterns and taste preferences in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early introduction of allergenic foods into an infant's diet is currently the most promising strategy to prevent food allergy, with infant guidelines around the world shifting from promoting avoidance to actively encourage the introduction of allergenic foods in the infant diet. Infant feeding guidelines vary according to regional public health priorities, and knowledge gaps remain, resulting in ongoing challenges for clinicians and families to translate guidelines into practical strategies for the introduction of complementary foods for food allergy prevention. Evidence from Australia demonstrates high community support and uptake of revised guidelines with most parents introducing allergenic foods in the first year of life, although this has not had the expected impact on substantially reducing food allergy prevalence. To uptake of guidelines from other countries is less clear, and several barriers have been noted in infant feeding RCTs, which may warrant intervention strategies. Further research is needed to understand additional strategies for food allergy prevention, particularly in infants who develop food allergy prior to when they are developmentally ready to commence solids. Several RCTs are underway investigating preventative strategies that target the window before allergen ingestion, such as vitamin D supplementation, emollient use, and immunizations that prime the immune response away from a Th2‐driven allergic phenotype. Further research is also needed to understand the role of the environment and the host environment in the development of tolerance to foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the cost and nutritional profiles of toddler-specific foods and milks to 'regular' foods and milks. Methods: Cross-sectional audit of non-toddler specific ('regular') foods and milks and secondary analysis of existing audit data of toddler specific (12-36 months) foods and milks in Australia. Main findings: The cost of all toddler-specific foods and milks was higher than the regular non-toddler foods. Foods varied in nutritional content, but toddler foods were mostly of poorer nutritional profile than regular foods. Fresh milk cost, on average, $0.22 less per 100 mL than toddler milk. Toddler milks had higher mean sugar and carbohydrate levels and lower mean protein, fat, saturated fat, sodium and calcium levels per 100 mL, when compared to fresh full fat cow's milk. Conclusions: Toddler specific foods and milks cost more and do not represent value for money or good nutrition for young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vegetables as first complementary foods for infants may programme taste preferences that lead to improved vegetable intake in children. Yet few studies have investigated the impact of a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding, especially in New Zealand. The purpose of this randomised control trial is to investigate the effect of starting complementary feeding with vegetables only on infants' later intake and liking of vegetables, compared to those starting with fruit and vegetables.Methods/design: One-hundred and twenty mother-infant pairs living in Auckland, New Zealand, will be randomised to receive either vegetables only (intervention) or fruit and vegetables (control) for 28 days, starting from the first day of complementary feeding at around 4-6 months of age. Infants will be presented with a brassica (broccoli), followed by a green leafy vegetable (spinach) and sweet fruit (pear) at 9 months of age. The primary outcome measures of intake of each food will be assessed using a weighed food diary. Secondary outcome measures of overall intake, liking and wanting of vegetables will be assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, liking tool and video coding tool, respectively, at 9, 12, and 24 months of age. Infant growth and iron status will be assessed as part of health screening and monitoring at baseline, post intervention and 9 months of age. Other biological samples to be collected include infant stool samples, vitamin D (mother and infant), iron status (mother), and mothers' diet.Discussion: This randomised, controlled trial will be the first to our knowledge to investigate a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding on infants' liking and intake of vegetables in New Zealand. Comparison against standard practice (fruit and vegetables as first foods) should complement other trials underway, such as the Baby's First Bites and Nordic OTIS trial. Results may contribute to the evidence supporting complementary feeding guidelines in New Zealand and worldwide.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000737134 . Registered on 16 May 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non–IgE‐mediated food allergic disorder with a well‐characterized phenotype, but limited understanding of factors associated with food cross‐reactivity, severity and tolerance. Methods: A retrospective cohort study spanning 20 years on children with acute FPIES from a single paediatric tertiary centre in New South Wales, Australia, focusing on identifying food trigger co‐associations and factors associated with reaction severity, multiple trigger FPIES and/or tolerance was performed. Results: A total of 168 individuals with 329 recorded FPIES episodes between 1997 and 2017 were included. 49% were male. The median age at first reaction was 5 months, and median age at diagnosis was 9 months. 73% experienced at least one severe FPIES reaction. Rice (45%), cow's milk (30%) and soya (13%) were the most common triggers. Rice or cow's milk FPIES was strongly associated with increased odds of having multiple trigger FPIES. The odds of having multiple food FPIES and severe reactions were slightly decreased with vaginal delivery. No factors were associated with increased risk of severe reactions. Infants with rice and grains FPIES outgrew their reactions at an earlier age, compared to those with fish FPIES. Conclusions: Rice remains the most common trigger in Australia with co‐associations between rice/oats and cow's milk/soya observed. This suggests that taxonomically related foods may share similar protein structure and trigger similar mechanisms of antigen recognition. Vaginal delivery may have a mild protective effect on the development of multiple FPIES and severe reactions. No other features from birth or infant‐feeding history influenced outcomes in FPIES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant feeding guidelines worldwide recommend first foods to be Fe rich with no added sugars and that nutrient-poor discretionary foods are to be avoided. Feeding guidelines also recommend exposing infants to a variety of foods and flavours with increasingly complex textures. Here, we compare nutritional and textural properties of commercial infant and toddler foods available in Australia with established infant feeding guidelines. Nutrition information and ingredient lists were obtained from food labels, manufacturer and/or retailer websites. In total, 414 foods were identified, comprising mostly mixed main dishes, fruit and vegetable first foods and snacks. Most products were poor sources of Fe, and 80 % of first foods were fruit-based. Half of all products were purées in squeeze pouches, and one-third of all products were discretionary foods. The nutritional content of many products was inconsistent with guidelines, being low in Fe, sweet, smooth in consistency or classified as discretionary. Reformulation of products is warranted to improve Fe content, particularly in mixed main dishes, expand the range of vegetable-only foods and textural variety. Greater regulatory oversight may be needed to better inform parents and caregivers. Frequent consumption of commercial baby foods low in Fe may increase the risk of Fe deficiency. Excessive consumption of purées via squeeze pouches may also have implications for overweight and obesity risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Introduction of allergenic solid foods, especially peanut and hen's egg reduces the risk of food allergy development in early childhood. Ideally, parents will offer their infants home‐prepared foods; however, many rely on the availability of convenient ready to purchase infant foods. This audit aimed to assess the major food allergen content of commercial infant foods. Methods: Infant foods available for sale in 2019 in Australia were the focus of this audit. The major food allergens investigated were peanut, tree nuts, hen's egg, cows milk, wheat, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame and lupin. Websites of infant food manufacturers and major supermarkets were used to identify ingredient lists of infant foods available for purchase. Where ingredients listings were unavailable this information was sourced directly from the product labels in the supermarket. Results: Fourteen companies were identified, manufacturing over 251 foods specifically for the infants aged less than 1 year of age. Although there were many choices available containing wheat (27 products) and cows milk proteins (73 products), none contained peanut, tree nuts, sesame, shellfish or lupin. Conclusions: Despite infant feeding advice encouraging early introduction to food allergens, of 251 commercial baby foods surveyed only 1% contained egg and none contained peanut, the most common food allergies in young Australian infants. This low food allergen content may be disadvantageous for infants fed mostly commercial infant foods as they are unlikely to be exposed to sufficient amounts of the major food allergens on a regular basis during infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of infants introduced to peanut and other common food allergens by 12 months of age; to collect information about parent-reported reactions to food.Design, Setting: Observational cohort study, applying the SmartStartAllergy SMS protocol and online questionnaire to parents of 12-month-old infants attending 69 Australian general practices between 21 September 2018 and 3 May 2019.Participants: 3374 parents recruited via the 69 participating general practices.Main Outcome Measures: Proportions of infants who had eaten peanut and other common food allergens; proportions with parent-reported reactions to food.Results: 1940 of 3374 invited parents participated in the study (response rate, 57%), of whom 836 (46%) completed the online questionnaire. At 12 months of age, 1673 of 1940 infants had eaten peanut-including foods (86.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 84.6-87.7%); 235 of 1831 parents (12.8%; 95% CI, 11.3-14.5%) reported food-related reactions. Questionnaire responses indicated that dairy was the food type most frequently reported to cause a food-related reaction (72 of 835 exposed infants, 8.6%; 95% CI, 6.8-11%); peanut-related reactions were reported for 20 of 764 exposed children (2.6%; 95% CI, 1.6-4.0%). 97 of 250 parent-reported reactions to food (39%) did not include symptoms that suggested an IgE-mediated allergic reaction.Conclusion: Infant feeding practices in Australia have changed over the past decade; a large majority of infants are now fed peanut before 12 months of age. The SmartStartAllergy program allows monitoring of infant feeding practices in primary care, as well as of parent-reported reactions to food in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the timing of introduction of complementary (solid) foods among infants in South Western Sydney, Australia, and describe the maternal and infant characteristics associated with very early introduction of solids.Methods: Mother-infant dyads (n = 1035) were recruited into the "Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids" study by Child and Family Health Nurses at the first post-natal home visit. Data collected via telephone interviews at 8, 17, 34 and 52 weeks postpartum included timing of introduction of solids and a variety of maternal and infant characteristics (n = 934). Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with the risk of introducing solids very early, which for the purpose of this study was defined as being before 17 weeks.Results: The median age of introduction of solids was 22 weeks. In total, 13.6% (n = 127) of infants had received solids before 17 weeks and 76.9% (n = 719) before 26 weeks of age. The practice of introducing solids early decreased with older age of the mother. Compared to women < 25 years of age, those who were 35 years or older were 72% less likely to introduce solids very early (OR = 0.28, CI95 0.14-0.58). Single mothers had more than twice the odds of introducing solids before the age of 17 weeks compared to married women (OR = 2.35, CI95 1.33-4.16). Women who had returned to work between 6 to 12 months postpartum were 46% less likely to introduce solids very early compared with those who were not working at the child's first birthday (OR = 0.54, CI95 0.30-0.97). Women born in Vietnam and Indian sub-continent had lower odds of introducing solids very early compared to Australian born women (OR = 0.42, CI95 0.21-0.84 and OR = 0.30, CI95 0.12-0.79, respectively). Infants who were exclusively formula-fed at 4 weeks postpartum had more than twice the odds of receiving solids very early (OR = 2.34, CI95 1.49-3.66).Conclusions: Women who are younger, single mothers, those not working by the time of child's first birthday, those born in Australia, and those who exclusively formula-feed their babies at 4 weeks postpartum should be targeted for health promotion programs that aim to delay the introduction of solids in infants to the recommended time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study compared the age of first solid foods in a cohort of preterm infants with term infants and identified factors influencing timing of solid food introduction.Design: Structured interviews on infant feeding practices, growth and medical status at term equivalence and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months corrected postnatal age. The age of solid food introduction was compared between term and preterm infants, and the influence of maternal, infant and milk feeding factors was assessed.Setting: This prospective longitudinal study recruited primary carers of preterm and term infants from a regional metropolitan referral hospital in eastern Australia.Participants: One hundred and fifty infants (preterm, n 85; term, n 65).Results: When corrected for prematurity, preterm infants received solid foods before the recommended age for the introduction of solid foods for term infants. Median introduction of solid foods for preterm infants was 14 weeks corrected age (range 12-17 weeks). This was significantly less than 19 weeks (range 17-21 weeks) for term infants (P < 0·001). Lower maternal education and male gender were associated with earlier introduction of solid foods among preterm infants.Conclusions: Preterm infants are introduced to solid foods earlier than recommended for term infants, taking account of their corrected age. Further research is needed to assess any risk or benefit associated with this pattern and thus to develop clear evidence-based feeding guidelines for preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 200 rice and rice products from New Zealand and Australia were purchased from retail outlets during 2017 for inorganic arsenic analysis by ICP-MS. The survey of foods placed a particular emphasis on products marketed specifically for infants and young. A total of 159 samples (80%) gave positive results for inorganic arsenic, with a mean concentration of 0.06 mg/kg and a range of <0.01–0.14 mg/kg. Two products marketed for infants and young children age-cohort had the highest concentrations of inorganic arsenic. Both exceeded the EU maximum level for rice destined for the production of food for infants and young children of 0.1 mg/kg. The mean concentration of inorganic arsenic for only raw rice samples was 0.07 mg/kg, with a range of <0.02–0.12 mg/kg. In general, the concentration of inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products from New Zealand and Australia was low compared to concentrations reported from comparable studies overseas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer plastic pouch (MLPP) has an estimated 9% annual increase of market growth. However, the migrants it can introduce to food has not yet been systematically studied. A total of 79 MLPPs for baby food were purchased from major retail outlets in Australia. The methodology for testing chemical migration followed the design of previous studies using four types of selected simulants according to the European Committee Regulation No. 10/2011 method. Four bisphenols and five phthalic acid diesters (PAEs) were detected, including the ones known for endocrine disrupting effect in human. Three intentionally added and 23 non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) were tentatively identified through a suspect screening procedure. Out of the 23 NIAS, neopentyl glycol – phthalic acid – 1,6-hexanediol – phthalic acid oligomer was identified for the first time with MLPP. A further two NIAS were detected for the first time in baby food related products. For 40% of the pouches where adipic acid - diethylene glycol was detected, the estimated exposure from consuming one pouch of food per day may exceed the threshold of toxicological concern established based on the Cramer classification. [Display omitted] • Chemical migration was tested using a modified (EU) No 10/2011 method • The exposure of IAS and NIAS was assessed • Plastic additives that should not be used under EU regulation were detected • Three NIAS were identified for the first time in baby food pouches • Several NIAS exposure may exceed threshold of toxicological concern [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until about six months of age when solid foods should be gradually introduced. Evidence indicates that Chinese immigrant mothers in Australia are more likely to use infant formula in combination with breastfeeding and to introduce solids earlier than the general Australian population. This study aimed to explore Chinese immigrant mother's experiences of feeding their infant to gain an insight into the factors shaping their feeding decisions and perceptions of infant growth.Methods: Semi structured interviews were conducted with 36 Chinese immigrant mothers with children aged 0-12 months, living in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews were conducted either in Chinese, using an interpreter, or in English. All were audio recorded. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.Results: Eight themes were identified. Chinese immigrant mothers were supportive of exclusive breastfeeding, however breastfeeding problems and conflicting views about infant feeding and infant growth from grandparents reduced many mothers' confidence to breastfeed exclusively. For many new mothers, anxiety that exclusive breastfeeding provided insufficient nourishment led to the introduction of formula before six months of age. Most mothers delayed introducing solid food to five to six months to prevent development of allergic diseases and gastrointestinal problems. Chinese immigrant mothers obtained information and support related to infant feeding from a combination of health professionals, online resources, friends and grandparents.Conclusions: Chinese immigrant mothers in Australia need support to breastfeed exclusively. In particular maternal confidence to breastfeed exclusively needs to be increased. To achieve this, culturally sensitive guidance is needed and the contradictions in advice given by Chinese grandparents and health professionals on infant feeding practices and healthy infant growth need to be recognised and addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To examine the nutritional profile of baby and toddler foods sold in Australia. Methods: Nutrient information for baby and toddler foods available at Australian supermarkets was collected between Auguset and December 2013. Levels of declared energy, total fat, saturated fat, total sugar, sodium and estimated added sugar were examined, as well as the presence of additional micronutrients on the label. The Health Star Rating (HSR) system was used to determine nutritional quality. The range of products on offer was also examined by product type and by the age category for which the product was marketed. Results: Of the 309 products included, 29 % were fortified. On a per 100 g basis, these 309 products provided a mean (±SD) of 476 ± 486 kJ, 1.6 ± 2.4 g total fat, 10.7 ± 12.2 g total sugar, 2.7 ± 7.4 g added sugar, and 33.5 ± 66.5 mg sodium. Fruit-based products or products with fruit listed as an ingredient (58 %) were the predominant product type. On the nutrition label, 42 % displayed at least one additional micronutrient while 37 % did not display saturated fat. The most common HSR was four stars (45 %) and 6+ months was the most commonly identified targeted age group (36 %). Conclusions: The majority of baby and toddler foods sold in Australian supermarkets are ready-made fruit-based products aimed at children under 12 months of age. Baby and toddler foods are overlooked in public policy discussions pertaining to population nutrient intake but their relatively high sugar content deriving from fruits requires close attention to ensure these foods do not replace other more nutrient dense foods, given children have an innate preference for sweet tastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2002, the World Health Organization recommended that the age for starting complementary feeding should be changed from 4 to 6 months of age to 6 months. Although this change in age has generated substantial debate, surprisingly little attention has been paid to whether advice on how to introduce complementary foods should also be changed. It has been proposed that by 6 months of age most infants will have developed sufficient motor skills to be able to feed themselves rather than needing to be spoon-fed by an adult. This has the potential to predispose infants to better growth by fostering better energy self-regulation, however no randomised controlled trials have been conducted to determine the benefits and risks of such a "baby-led" approach to complementary feeding. This is of particular interest given the widespread use of "Baby-Led Weaning" by parents internationally.Methods/design: The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study aims to assess the efficacy and acceptability of a modified version of Baby-Led Weaning that has been altered to address potential concerns with iron status, choking and growth faltering. The BLISS study will recruit 200 families from Dunedin, New Zealand, who book into the region's only maternity hospital. Parents will be randomised into an intervention (BLISS) or control group for a 12-month intervention with further follow-up at 24 months of age. Both groups will receive the standard Well Child care provided to all parents in New Zealand. The intervention group will receive additional parent contacts (n = 8) for support and education on BLISS from before birth to 12 months of age. Outcomes of interest include body mass index at 12 months of age (primary outcome), energy self-regulation, iron and zinc intake and status, diet quality, choking, growth faltering and acceptability to parents.Discussion: This study is expected to provide insight into the feasibility of a baby-led approach to complementary feeding and the extent to which this method of feeding affects infant body weight, diet quality and iron and zinc status. Results of this study will provide important information for health care professionals, parents and health policy makers.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612001133820 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The current literature regarding the transition from milks to solid foods across the first 2 years of life is limited despite the important influence of early dietary intake on children's growth and development. The present study describes dietary intake from birth to 2 years across four developmental relevant time-points within an Australian birth cohort. Methods Dietary data from 466 infants was collected at four time-points in the first 2 years of life via parent-reported questionnaire, including a 45-item food and beverage frequency questionnaire. Subsample analyses of children who were aged 1-3, 6-8, 12-14 and 18-20 months at the time of data collection were conducted. Results Infant formula remained consistently consumed by over 75% of children from the 6-8- to 18-20 months old age groups. Mean (SD) age of introduction to solid foods was 5.2 (1.3) months. Almost 20% and 10% of children were introduced before 16 and after 32 weeks, respectively. The highest consumption of core foods, recommended for a healthy diet, daily was seen in the 12-14 months old age group with lower proportions in the 18-20 months old age group coinciding with an increased proportion of children eating discretionary choice foods, not recommended for a healthy diet. Discretionary choice foods/beverages presented in children's diets as early as in the 6-8 months old age group. By 18-20 months, at least 20% of children were consuming savoury biscuits, sweet biscuits, muesli bars and luncheon meats at least twice a week. Conclusions The present study identified a number of findings outside the recommendations of the Australian Dietary and Infant Feeding Guidelines. Further work is warranted to explore these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To accurately establish the extent to which breastfeeding exclusivity and duration and the introduction of foods other than breast milk are congruous with Australian infant feeding guidelines among a cohort of primiparous women and their infants in Australia. Method The Feeding Queensland Babies Study is primarily a questionnaire-based prospective birth cohort study of infant feeding attitudes and behaviours but also collected significant data on feeding patterns in infancy. These data were extracted from the demographic questionnaire and from questionnaires administered at 4 and 6 months of infant age. Participants were healthy primiparous Australian women aged between 18 and 40 years, recruited by convenience sampling in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire both online and on paper between October 2010 and September 2011. Results Breastfeeding initiation in this cohort is high; however, by 4 months of age, 15.4% of mothers had completely ceased any breastfeeding, 28.7% of infants had been given formula and 18.5% had been introduced to baby cereal. By 6 months of age, 98.4% of infants had been introduced to non-milk foods, most commonly at a rate of one new food every 4 to 5 days. Conclusion Contemporary prospective data on infant feeding have value in describing trends that may influence the health outcomes of a generation of Australian children. Even in this group of relatively well-educated Australian women, premature cessation of breastfeeding and the early introduction of foods other than breast milk to infants demonstrate behaviours not congruous with evidence-based guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water fluoridation has become the centrepiece in dental caries prevention for the Australian population since its introduction in 1953 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania. With the notable exception until recently of Brisbane, residents of the state and territory capital cities have enjoyed the dental health benefits of this important public health initiative for at least 33 years. For many communities in rural and regional Australia, however, the introduction of water fluoridation has only commenced in relative recent years - if at all. These efforts in recent years have been greatly assisted by the research of Professor John Spencer and his colleagues at the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health ( ARCPOH). This paper highlights some major pieces of research conducted by ARCPOH and demonstrates the application of that research to the extension of water fluoridation in Victoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers’ and Importers’ Agreement prevents manufacturers and importers from advertising infant formula. However, toddler milks, which share brand identities with infant formula, are advertised freely; and recent research suggests consumers fail to distinguish between advertising for infant formula and for toddler milk. This study examined whether Australian parents recalled having seen advertisements for ‘formula’. Most respondents (66.8%) reported seeing an advertisement for infant formula, with those who had only seen non-retail advertising more than twice as likely to believe that they had seen such an advertisement as those who had only seen retail advertising. This suggests that toddler milk advertisements are functioning as defacto infant formula advertisements in Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim. To measure the association between infant feeding practices and parent-reported nut allergy in school entrant children. Method. The Kindergarten Health Check Questionnaire was delivered to all 110 Australian Capital Territory (ACT) primary schools between 2006 and 2009. Retrospective analyses were undertaken of the data collected from the kindergarten population. Results. Of 15142 children a strong allergic reaction to peanuts and other nuts was reported in 487 (3.2%) and 307 (3.9%), children, respectively. There was a positive association between parent reported nut allergy and breast feeding (OR = 1.53; 1.11-2.11) and having a regular general practitioner (GP) (OR = 1.42; 1.05-1.92). A protective effect was found in children who were fed foods other than breast milk in the first six months (OR = 0.71; 0.60-0.84). Conclusion. Children were at an increased risk of developing a parent-reported nut allergy if they were breast fed in the first six months of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital marketing of commercial complementary foods (CCF) is an emerging area of concern in Australia. Although research into traditional methods has identified a range of problems, the marketing and messaging strategies employed within digital spaces have gone largely unscrutinized. This study sought to examine the methods used by CCF manufacturers to promote Australian baby foods and brands in a digital space. A multiple step approach was used to assess the CCF brands available in major Australian retailers, the social media platforms they used, and to thematically analyze the text and visual messages contained in posts published over a three-month period. Of the 15 brands identified, 12 had a digital presence, and all of these used Facebook. Four themes emerged from an analysis of 216 Facebook posts; (1) general product attributes, (2) socially desirable attributes (which included messaging related to taste (41%), self-feeding (29%) and fun (19%)), (3) concern-based attributes (including organic status (40%), age targets (39%) and additive-/allergen-free status (18%)) and (4) health-focused attributes (which included messaging related to healthy/nutritious ingredients (45%), and child development/growth (15%). Messages contained in Facebook posts were mostly positive brand/product aspects (Themes 1 and 2) or parental concern-based aspects (Theme 3 and 4). These themes match previous analyses of marketing content in traditional media and should be closely monitored due to the personalized nature of consumer social media interactions.

Human milk (HM) is considered to be the optimal feed of choice for neonates, however, for preterm infants, HM fortifiers are often added to increase growth. If HM is unavailable, preterm formula is the next best option for preterm infants. Choosing which fortifier, if any, to use or which formula can be confusing. In this paper, the composition of milk feeds available in Australia and New Zealand is reviewed with the aim of assisting paediatricians to decide which feed is most appropriate for their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Early feeding plays an important role in programming the immune system, particularly the risk of food allergy. There are many infant feeding guides published for consumers available in Australia, with most based on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2012 Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Infant Feeding Advice for allergy prevention. We sought to compare allergy-specific content of infant feeding educational material written for parents with these two documents.Methods: Australian websites of children's hospitals, early child health organisations and consumer groups providing information about diet during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early infancy were compared with NHMRC and ASCIA guidelines.Results: Twenty-five sets of infant feeding information were identified. Food allergy was discussed in 18 resources. Recommended length of exclusive breastfeeding and timing of commencing solid foods was consistently around 6 months, with some variation in wording. Advice regarding to include and not delay introduction of common allergens into babies' diets was generally consistent with NHMRC and ASCIA recommendations, however the audit identified some resources that still recommended delayed introduction of common allergens.Conclusion: As consumers have access to a plethora of health information it is imperative that information about infant feeding from health-care authorities is simple, evidence-based and consistent to avoid confusion. Use of consensus wording related to infant feeding guidelines to prevent allergies will provide clear messages related to the timing of introduction to solid foods and inclusion of allergens in the early diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]