Baby Cereals Research Articles

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from some dairy products in Libya as a foodborne pathogen.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common causes of clinical and asymptomatic mastitis in dairy cattle, as well as in milk and dairy products that affect milk quality. Mastitis caused by K. pneumoniae is even more serious due to its poor response to antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to detect and identify the presence of K. pneumoniae in milk and dairy products produced in Libya. A total of 234 samples were randomly collected from various locations in Libya. Samples were examined for the presence of K. pneumoniae using conventional cultural techniques, including cultivation in violet red bile agar plus 4-methylumbelliferyl-ß-D-glucuronide broth and CHROM agar, followed by polymerase chain reaction identification and partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. Of the 234 samples of milk and dairy products collected, 16 (6.8%) isolates revealed mucoid colonies on agar media that were phenotypically suggested to be K. pneumoniae. Identification of isolates was confirmed using molecular techniques (16S rRNA). Among the examined samples, K. pneumoniae was recovered from camel's milk, raw cow's milk, raw fermented milk, Maasora cheese, Ricotta cheese, soft cheese, full cream milk powder, milk powder infant formula, cereal baby food, and growing-up formula. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on 12 of the 16 K. pneumoniae isolates, and the results showed that K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to more than eight antibiotics; interestingly, two isolates showed metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production. K. pneumoniae is considered a risk to human health because many of these products do not comply with the microbiological criteria of international and/or Libyan standards. This study emphasized the relationship between K. pneumoniae and raw milk, cheese, milk powder, and infant milk retailed in Libya. There is a need to take the necessary measures to ensure effective hygiene practices during production in dairy factories, handling, and distribution on the market, in particular at a small local production scale.

Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring Effort.

Globally, there is growing concern over the presence of lead (Pb) in foods because it is a heavy metal with several toxic effects on human health. However, monitoring studies have not been conducted in Mexico. In this study, we estimated the concentrations of Pb in the most consumed foods and identified those that exceeded the maximum limits (MLs) for Pb in foods established by the International Standards. Based on the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey, 103 foods and beverages were selected and purchased in Mexico City retail stores and markets. Samples were analyzed twice using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Values above the limit of quantification (0.0025 mg/kg) were considered to be detected. The percentage of detected values was 18%. The highest concentration was found in infant rice cereal (1.005 mg/kg), whole wheat bread (0.447 mg/kg), pre-cooked rice (0.276 mg/kg), black pepper (0.239 mg/kg), and turmeric (0.176 mg/kg). Among the foods with detected Pb, the levels in infant rice cereal, whole wheat bread, pre-cooked rice, and soy infant formula exceeded the MLs. The food groups with the highest percentages of exceeded MLs were baby foods (18%) and cereals (11%). Monitoring the concentration of contaminants in foods is essential for implementing food safety policies and protecting consumer health.

Infant exposure to ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol from the consumption of milk formula and baby cereal in Chile

Ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins whose exposure is associated with various adverse health effects, including cancer and renal disorders, estrogenic effects, and immunosuppressive and gastrointestinal disorders, respectively. Infants (<2 years) are the most vulnerable group to mycotoxins, representing a unique combination of restricted food consumption types, low body weight, lower ability to eliminate toxins, and more future years to accumulate toxins. This study aimed to estimate the infant́s exposure to OTA, DON, and ZEN due to the consumption of milk formula and baby cereals in Chile.Milk formula samples (n = 41) and baby cereals (n = 30) were collected and analyzed using commercial ELISA kits for OTA, DON, and ZEA determination. Exposure was assessed by the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) approach (mean and worst-case scenario, WCS) with the levels found in a modified Lower Bound (mLB) and Upper Bound (UB); ideal consumption (<6m, 7–12 m, and 13–24 m); adjusted by the weight of each group. The risk was estimated by comparing the EDI with a reference tolerable daily intake or by the margin of exposure (MOE) in the case of OTA.DON and OTA occurrence in infant formula were 34 % and 41 %, respectively. The co-occurrence between these mycotoxins was 22 %. Mycotoxin contents were below LOQ values except for OTA determined in one sample (0.29 ng/ml). No milk formulae were contaminated with ZEN. In the case of baby cereals, the occurrences were 17 % for OTA, 30 % for DON, and 7 % for ZEN, all below LOQ. Co-occurrence was seen in two samples between ZEN and OTA. According to exposure calculations, the MOE for OTA was less than 10,000 in all models for milk formula between 0 to 12 months of age and in the UB and WCS for cereal consumption. Health concerns were observed for DON in the WCS and UB for milk consumption in all ages and only in the UB WCS for cereal consumption. Considering the high consumption of milk formula in these age groups, regulation of OTA and other co-occurring mycotoxins in infant milk and food is strongly suggested.

Elemental composition of toxic and essential elements in rice-based baby foods from the United States and other countries: A probabilistic risk analysis

Consumption of rice-based foods provides essential nutrients required for infants and toddlers’ growth. However, they could contain toxic and excess essential elements that may affect human health. The study aims to determine the composition of rice-based baby foods in the USA and outside and conduct a multiple-life stages probabilistic exposure and risk assessment of toxic and essential elements in children. Elemental concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in thirty-three rice-based baby foods. This includes 2 infant formulas, 11 rice baby cereals, and 20 rice snacks produced primarily in the United States, China, and other countries. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to assess risks of adverse health effects. Results showed that infant formula had higher median concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) compared to rice baby cereal and rice snacks. On the contrary, rice snacks had the highest median concentration of Arsenic (As) (127 μg/kg) while rice baby cereals showed the highest median concentration of Cd (7 μg/kg). A higher lifetime estimated daily intake was observed for samples manufactured in the USA compared to those from China and other countries. Hazard quotient (HQ < 1) values were suggestive of minimal adverse health effects. However, lifetime carcinogenic risk analysis based on total As indicated an unacceptable cancer risk (>1E-04). These findings show a need for ongoing monitoring of rice-based foods consumed by infants and toddlers as supplementary and substitutes for breast milk or weaning food options. This can be useful in risk reduction and mitigation of early life exposure to improve health outcomes.

Food sources of fiber and micronutrients of concern among infants and young children in Lebanon: a national cross-sectional study

BackgroundIntakes of fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate were shown to be low in a substantial proportion of infants and children in Lebanon. The study aims to identify the top food sources of fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate amongst infants and young children in Lebanon and to evaluate the evolution of food sources of these nutrients from the beginning of the complementary feeding journey up until the age of 47.9 months.MethodsA national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012 as part of the “Early Life Nutrition and Health in Lebanon” project using stratified cluster sampling. Dietary intakes for infants and young children aged 6-47.9 months (n = 763) were assessed using 24- Hour Dietary Recall. Food items were categorized into food groups and the percent contribution of each food group to nutrient intakes was determined to identify the top food sources of fiber and selected micronutrients for three age groups: 6-11.9 m (infants), 12-23.9 m (toddlers), and 24-47.9 m (preschoolers).ResultsThe top food source of fiber was vegetables among children aged 6-47.9 months. Among infants and toddlers, infant/young child formula was the main contributor to iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and folate intakes. Baby cereals also contributed to around 14% of iron intakes among infants. Among preschoolers, meat and fish contributed to 13% of iron intakes and 29% of zinc intakes, while cow’s milk was the major contributor of calcium (41%), vitamin D (81%) and vitamin A (25%) intakes. Sweetened beverages and sweet bakery were also ranked among the major food sources contributing to substantial intakes of key nutrients, including fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and folate among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.ConclusionsIn addition to milk sources, vegetables, beans and legumes, breads, meats, and rice and pasta, sweet bakery and sweetened beverages have contributed to intakes of key nutrients from early ages. This calls for implementing initiatives and designing approaches to support nutrition education and improve nutrient intakes in infancy and early childhood.

Law matters - assessment of country-level code implementation and sales of breastmilk substitutes in South Asia.

This study examines the status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes of eight countries in the South Asia region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), and describes the sales value and volume of commercial milk formula (CMF) marketed as breastmilk substitutes (BMS) and baby food in four countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). A mix of descriptive methods is used to assess national status of Code implementation, including a desk review of the 2022 WHO/UNICEF/IBFAN Code Status Report, systematic content analysis of national Code measures, and insights generated from the participation of key government and UNICEF/WHO actors in a regional workshop that aimed to identify each country's barriers, gaps, and the status of Code implementation. Data on the sales value and volume of CMF and baby food between 2007 to 2021 and with the prediction to 2026 in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were obtained from Global Data. There are major gaps in Code implementation in countries even with legal measures considered substantially aligned with the Code, such as the inadequate age range of CMF covered in the scope, insufficient safeguards against conflicts of interest in the health system, lack of warning of risks of intrinsic contamination of powdered milk formula, and an absence of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Data on CMF sales shows health facilities and pharmacies sustain the highest sales. Lower sales volume of infant formula (including special formula), compared to other CMF such as follow-up formula and growing-up milk, has been observed in three of the four countries (Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka). Overall, GUM, followed by baby cereals, accounted for a large portion of CMF and baby foods sales in the same three countries. (1) Closing the gaps between national measures and the Code, (2) Ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, (3) Strengthening conflicts of interest safeguards in the health system, (4) Tackling digital marketing, and (5) Galvanizing political support and support from in-country public health and women's rights jurist networks.

Contamination of Baby Foods by Plastic Additives: A Pilot Screening Study

Despite the fact that food production and processing may involve various appliances and materials containing plastic additives (PAs), potential food contamination by a variety of PAs has not been sufficiently investigated, particularly in baby foods. In this study, we screened for a total of 245 legacy and emerging PAs in representative baby foods (n = 70), including formulas, cereals, vegetable/fruit purees, and meat products. Total concentrations of ΣPAs ranged from 3.86 to 9580 ng/g (median of 194 ng/g), and 47 PAs were detected in >50% of the samples, among which 16 were detected for the first time in baby foods. Non-phthalate ester plasticizers exhibited the highest abundances (median of 52.7 ng/g), followed by phthalate esters (46.1 ng/g), organophosphate esters (8.20 ng/g), synthetic antioxidants (8.15 ng/g), ultraviolet stabilizers (1.56 ng/g), bisphenols (0.51 ng/g), and parabens (0.04 ng/g). Food categories and the types of packaging materials appeared to influence the levels and compositional profiles of PA contamination. The estimation of daily intake suggested a low risk of dietary exposure. However, the high complexity of PAs detected in baby foods raises concern about the exposure to an increasing list of industrial chemicals, due to potential cocktail effects, limited knowledge of biological effects of emerging substances, and exposure from additional sources.

Food Sources of Fiber and Micronutrients of Concern in Infants and Children in the United Arab Emirates: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) and the Kids Nutrition and Health Survey (KNHS) 2020.

We estimated the usual intakes of fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, folate, vitamin D, and vitamin A and the top foods that contribute to them among children in the UAE. Dietary intake was assessed using 24 h recalls among 5 age groups of infants and children. Foods were clustered into 54 food groups and ranked by their percentage contribution to the nutrients of interest in this study. The percentage achieving the adequate intake (AI) of fiber was negligible among all children. The top source of fiber was vegetables among children under 4 years, and white breads among those over 4 years. Only 45% of infants achieved iron adequacy, but iron standards were met by most children beyond the age of 1. The main contributors to iron intake were infant/young child formula and baby cereal in children under 4 years, while children over 4 years obtained it primarily from grains (fortified) and meat/fish. Vitamin D was inadequate across all age groups, with the percentage achieving adequacy ranging from 0 to 19% among pre-adolescents and toddlers, respectively. The top sources of vitamin D were fortified milks. Overall, nutrient inadequacies in fiber, calcium, and vitamin D highlight the need for greater intakes of whole grains and fortified dairy products in the UAE.

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding in fragile settings: the case of Syrian refugees and their host communities in North Lebanon

BackgroundAdequate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are paramount in fragile situations where access to food and healthcare is limited. The objectives of this study are to examine breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among Syrian refugees and their Lebanese host communities and to investigate the correlates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at four and 6 months in these communities.MethodsUsing two-stage stratified sampling, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Akkar, a region with a high density of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, between April and November 2019. In one-to-one interviews, mothers of children (6–24 months) completed a questionnaire including specific questions about breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, a 24-h recall, and socio-demographic characteristics for 189 Syrian refugees and 182 Lebanese host community households. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple logistic regression were used in data analysis.ResultsAmong breastfeeding practices, ever-breastfeeding was most prevalent (90%), followed by early initiation of breastfeeding (64.8%), EBF at four (49.6%), and six (36%) months. One in four children was introduced to solids before 6 months of age, and less than a third was given iron-fortified baby cereals as the first complementary foods. Only 24.4% and 9.2% of children met the minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet requirements, respectively. Compared to children of the Lebanese host communities, those of Syrian refugees had higher rates of EBF at four and 6 months as well as continued breastfeeding at 1 year, whereas only 17.9% of Syrian refugees’ children met minimum dietary diversity compared to 30.9% of Lebanese host community children (p < 0.05). Among refugees, education and spouse’s employment status were associated with higher odds of EBF at 4 months. As for Lebanese households, female children were less likely to be exclusively breastfed at 4 months and 6 months, while a natural delivery increased the odds of EBF at 6 months.ConclusionBreastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are suboptimal among children of Syrian refugees and their Lebanese host communities in North Lebanon. There is a need for intervention strategies to tackle gaps in services and assistance delivery programs to enhance infant and young child feeding practices among both communities.

Comparative Study for the Determination of Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Rice Cereal Baby Foods Using HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS.

Two liquid chromatographic systems, one coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometric methods (UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS) and the other a high-performance liquid chromatographic coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) were used to develop and validate methods for the simultaneous determination of fat-soluble vitamins A, D3 and E in rice cereal baby foods. The chromatographic separation was performed on C18 columns with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile as mobile phase for all methods. The extraction of fat-soluble vitamins included enzymatic hydrolysis with α-amylase, saponification, extraction with petroleum ether or n-hexane and purification with silica cartridge (only for vitamin D3). Quantification of vitamin D3 and E through UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS was performed by the use of internal standards (IS) D3-d3 and E-d6, respectively, while IS was not used for vitamin A. The methods were optimized and validated in terms of linearity, precision, trueness, limits of detection and quantification. The recoveries were in the range of 85.0–107% for retinol, 92.0–105% for α-tocopherol and 95.2–106% for cholecalciferol and the %RSD (Relative Standard Deviation) values ranged from 6.4% to 15%. The evaluation of the methods was also conducted through the estimation of uncertainties, the application in commercial samples and the participation in a proficiency test

Common practices and beliefs in the preparation of complementary infant feeding in a Spanish sample: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: complementary feeding together with breast milk should cover the nutritional needs of children from 6 months onwards. Thus, inadequate dietary practices can lead to poor nutritional intake. The objective of this study was to examine infant food handling and cooking in Spanish households. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was carried out using an online survey in non-institutionalized adults living in Spain who usually prepare infant food for children under 2 years of age. Results: a total of 1,944 people (37.4 ± 6 years; 65.5 % women) answered the survey. Of these, 72 % prepared mainly mashed foods and 21 % used store-bought baby cereals frequently. Zucchini (39 %), chicken (62 %), hake (64 %) and banana (44 %) were the most commonly used foods. Boiling (63 %) and freezing (59 %) were the most widely used culinary and preservation practices. An inappropriate use of salt and some unsafe foods (large fish and chard) was identified, whereas olive oil and eggs were offered below the current nutritional recommendations. Conclusion: the population surveyed preferred to use mashed foods to feed children under 2 years of age. Even though they were aware that homemade food is nutritionally better, on certain occasions they offer store-bought baby cereal. Furthermore, some inappropriate feeding practices were detected, highlighting the need to implement nutritional education policies regarding infant food preparation.

Chlorinated paraffins in baby food from the German market

Infant formula and baby cereal are products specifically intended for a vulnerable consumer group and should therefore be strictly controlled. In this study, we analysed 21 infant formula and 10 instant baby cereal samples for the presence of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) and estimated dietary exposure to these compounds. Results covered short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, globally restricted as persistent organic pollutants in 2017) and medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs, currently used in high quantities). Of the 21 infant formula and 10 instant baby cereal samples, 45% of SCCP results and 94% of MCCP results were below the limit of quantification. Most positive detections were in the range of 25–100 ng/g lipids CPs, and only three samples contained SCCPs at >100 ng/g lipids. The SCCP homologue patterns were shifted to shorter chain lengths (C10 usually predominant) which indicated that CPs were partly removed compared to the normal pattern in food items. Calculated daily exposures for infant formula for 3-month-olds ranged from 97 to 360 ng/kg bw/day for SCCPs using the upper bound approach. The SCCP exposure was lower than data from European pooled human milk samples by a factor of two.

Assessment of human health risk due to potentially toxic elements intake via consumption of Egyptian rice-based and wheat-based baby cereals

ABSTRACT Commercially available baby cereals have become an important part of the diet of many infants and toddlers because of their mineral and vitamin content that fulfils the dietary requirements of these target groups. The presence of contaminants such as metals in infant formulas may pose health risks for children. Therefore, cumulative exposure from such formulas should not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for toxic metals as set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for essential trace elements. In this study, analysis of 28 samples covering 12 different brands of popular baby cereals collected from different Egyptian markets to assess whether the intake complied with the upper permissible levels for tested metals was performed. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP OES) coupled with ultrasonic nebuliser unit was optimised, validated and applied in the routine method of analysis for the determination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), tin (Sn), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) in different baby cereal samples. The results showed that all analysed samples were free from any detectable amount of Cr, Pb and Sb, while the mean concentrations, in mg/kg (dry weight), were as follows: 3.30 (Mn), 47.40 (Fe), 0.02 (Cd), 1.00 (Cu) and 11.4 (Zn). The human health risk assessment was evaluated for daily and weekly intakes, the hazard quotient and the hazard index. The results of the health risk values were found to be significantly below the recommended tolerable levels and acceptable guideline values, which indicated that there are no carcinogenic effects may occur.

Infant feeding practices and sleep at 1 year of age in the nationwide ELFE cohort.

Sleep problems reported by parents affect 20% to 30% of infants. Few studies focused on the longitudinal association between infant feeding practices and sleep, especially in France. Analyses were based on 8,696 infants from the French national birth cohort ELFE. Collection of feeding practices from birth to 10 months allowed for the identification of trajectories of use of baby cereals and thickened formula by group‐based trajectory modelling and calculation of duration of any breastfeeding (BF) and age at complementary feeding introduction (CFI) excluding baby cereals. Total sleep duration (TSD), night waking (NW) and sleep onset difficulties (SOD) were reported at age 1. Associations between feeding and sleep were tested by multinomial logistic regressions. BF duration ≥6 months was associated with parent‐reported frequent NW, SOD and TSD ≤ 12 h/24 h at age 1. For TSD and SOD, this association was no longer significant after accounting for parental sleep‐related practices. Early use of baby cereals (≤5 months) was associated with poor sleep. Early CFI (<4 months) was associated with shorter TSD and SOD but not NW. Early use of thickened formula (only <6 months) was related to poor sleep at age 1 (NW and SOD), whereas late (around 6 months) use of thickened formula was associated with better sleep. BF duration ≥6 months was related to poor sleep at age 1 but not after adjustment on 1‐year parental sleep‐related practices except for NW. The use of baby cereals or early CFI was not related to better sleep at age 1.

Dietary exposure to total and inorganic arsenic via rice and rice-based products consumption

Diet is the major route of exposure to arsenic (As), with rice and rice products as food groups with relatively high As levels. This study was aimed at determining the concentrations of total arsenic (total As) and inorganic arsenic (InAs) in rice and rice products. The dietary exposure and health risks for infant and adult population were also estimated. Brown varieties of rice showed higher As levels than white rice (189 vs 132 μg/kg). Toddlers and infants presented the highest dietary exposure to total As (4.08 and 3.99 μg/day, respectively), but unlike the rest of population groups, the main contributor was organic arsenic. Focusing on the contribution of each food item, rice represents the major contributor to InAs exposure by the adult population, while baby cereals and breakfast cereals are the most important contributors for infant exposure. Anyhow, none of the population groups exceeded the lower limit of the BMDL01 range (from 0.3 to 8.0 μg/kg body weight/day) set by EFSA in any of the three exposure scenarios (high, mean, and low) hereby considered. Finally, consumption of white rice varieties or pre-cooked rice, as well as washing rice before cooking, are recommended in order to minimize the exposure to arsenic.

Detection of Furan and five Alkylfurans, including 2-Pentylfuran, in various Food Matrices

Next to furan, other alkylfurans such as 2- and 3-methylfuran, 2-ethylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, and 2-pentylfuran have been found concurrently in thermal processed food and fruit juices. To ensure an accurate quantification of these compounds, a method based on isotope dilution using all six respective internal standards and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was developed. Two injection techniques, static head space (HS) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME), were tested and compared for their performance. Validation was based on a single laboratory validation under repeatability condition. Good data for both techniques in baby food and cereals were obtained. Furthermore, validation was conducted successfully on fruit juices and infant formula using SPME injection and on coffee using HS injection. LOQ for all matrices was established at 5 µg/kg and 200 µg/kg in coffee samples, which corresponds to the lowest fortification level. Recovery was between 80 % and 110 % and repeatability obtained below 16 % at 50 µg/kg (7.4 % at 10 mg/kg for coffee samples), except few slight outliers.

Nutrient intake, introduction of baby cereals and other complementary foods in the diets of infants and toddlers from birth to 23 months of age.

IntroductionUnderstanding which foods are introduced in the diet and when provides valuable information on complementary feeding. Fortified baby rice cereal is the most common first solid food given to infants, often followed by other baby cereals. The objective of this study was to examine food patterns among infants and toddlers consuming rice or non-rice baby cereals versus non-consumers.MethodsNHANES 2001–2014 data were used to assess dietary intake, nutrient adequacy, and food specific patterns of infants and toddlers. Groups were: baby cereal non-consumers (n = 3,910), non-rice baby cereal consumers (n = 711), and rice baby cereal consumers (n = 966). Those consuming both non-rice cereal and rice cereal were included in the rice cereal group (n = 9, 48, 61, and 10 for those 0–3, 4–6, 7–11, and 12–23 mos, respectively). Least-square means ± SEs were determined for nutrient intake and food group consumption by using covariate controlled regression analyses (p < 0.01).ResultsBaby cereal consumer groups, compared to non-consumers, had higher intakes of carbohydrates, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, with lower percentage having intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement for iron, calcium, and vitamin E. Infants 0–3 mos and 4–6 mos in both baby cereal consumption groups consumed other solid foods, including baby foods and beverages, sweetened beverages, coffee and tea, 100% juice, vegetables (excluding potatoes), fruit, sugars, milk and yogurt, and mixed dishes. The baby cereal consumers and non-consumers groups had intakes aligned with the “American diet”. Baby cereal non-consumers had a significantly higher percentage of exclusively breast fed at ages 0–3 mos and a lower percentage formula fed.ConclusionThis study provides detailed information on the introduction of baby cereals which was associated with better nutrient intakes and other complementary foods and intakes of nutrients that require special attention during early life. Further, cow's milk products and solid foods were introduced prior to the American Academy of Pediatrics' age recommendations.

A Case Study on Nestle

Nestle was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestle. It started off with one man’s initiative to produce infant formula (for infants who are intolerant to their mothers’ milk) and grew into a multinational corporation worldwide. Nestle has more than 250,000 employees worldwide and factories all around globally. The infant product was so successful that it created demand all over Europe. Eventually This success brought in many business joint ventures and the company underwent many name changes along the way. Nestle started to enhance its product varieties and started to introduce baby cereals, breakfast cereals, chocolates, bottled drinks, beverages, icecreams, dairy products, food seasoning, pet food and many more. The product’s growth was encouraged by aggressive R&D (Research & Development). Nestlé is a successful company that has been around for 145 years and still its headquarter in Vevey,Switzerland. The company’s “objectives are to be recognized as the world leader and Nutrition, Health, and Wellness, trusted by all its stakeholders and to be the reference for financial performance in its industry” .Nestlé Environmental Advisory Group meets regularly to review current environmental issues and to anticipate potential concerns.A Review of the three most recent annual reports, which include the company’s balance sheet and income statement, displayed how Nestlé is trying to be the reference of financial performance in its industry. Reviewing the company’s assets, liabilities, andrevenues reiterates Nestlé’s success over the past couple of years. Today Nestlé is seen across grocery stores; however, the general population identifies them based on their brands.Nestlé’s most recent achievement was the purchase of Kraft Frozen pizza business.

Tunable solvency mixtures of tetrahydrofuran:water for efficient and fast extraction/clean-up of trace contaminants

In this study, we investigated the potential of mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water as tunable solvents for the microextraction of contaminants in solid and in liquid matrices. These two miscible solvents have very different dielectric constant and Hildebrand solubility parameters, so that tunable mixtures spanning a wide range of dispersion and hydrogen bonding forces could be easily prepared by simply changing their composition. In this way, rapid and more efficient extraction methods can be developed. A liquid-liquid and a solid-liquid microextraction method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in urine and ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereal baby food were developed as a proof of concept. Both, the chemical composition and the relative solvency of the THF-water mixtures, expressed as Teas solubility parameters, were studied in order to gain some insights into the chemical interactions governing analyte extraction. For urine, the salting-out extraction with THF:water and NaCl was evaluated, a process which is still scarcely investigated for analytical purposes. These methods featured good recoveries (above 95%), satisfactory standard deviation (5–6%) and good sensitivity (detection limits of 0.l μg L−1 for BPA and of 0.l ng g-1 for OTA) with the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and low consumption of reagents. Recoveries for other compounds and matrices (bisphenols ad phosphorus flame retardants in dust and in tap water, dyes in tap water and OTA in powder milk) were also assessed to prove the wide potential of these tunable solvent mixtures.

Infant feeding practices and sleep development in pre-schoolers from the EDEN mother-child cohort.

Sleep problems affect 20%-30% of toddlers and preschoolers. Few longitudinal studies focused on the impact of infant feeding practices on sleep. We aimed to study the associations between feeding practices up to 8 months and trajectories of sleep quantity or quality from 2 to 5-6 years. Analyses included 1,028 children from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Associations between feeding practices (breastfeeding, complementary feeding, use of thickened infant formula, night feeding) and sleep trajectories (sleep-onset difficulties, night waking, nighttime in bed) were analysed by multiple logistic regressions. Predominant breastfeeding for more than 4 months was associated with lower risk for belonging to the persistent sleep-onset difficulties trajectory. Night feeding at 4 months or at 2 years old was associated with higher risk for belonging to the persistent sleep-onset difficulties trajectory, and night feeding at 8 months was associated with higher risk for night waking and higher risk for short nighttime in bed. Early introduction (< 4 months) to complementary foods (excluding baby cereals) was related to lower risk for short nighttime in bed. Use of baby cereals or thickened infant formula was related neither to sleep quality nor to sleep quantity. In conclusion, infant feeding practices are associated with sleep trajectories in preschoolers, with notably a potential protective role of breastfeeding. Further researches are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these relationships.