Toddler Milk Research Articles

Infant formula and toddler milk marketing and caregiver's provision to young children.

The World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes prohibits claims and other marketing that may confuse caregivers about benefits of formula and other milk‐based drinks for infants and toddlers, but such marketing is common in the United States. This study assessed caregivers' provision of milk‐based products to their infants and toddlers and potential confusion about product benefits and appropriate use. Online survey of 1,645 U.S. caregivers of infants (6–11 months) and toddlers (12–36 months). Respondents identified infant formula and toddler milk products they served their child (ren) and provided relative agreement with common marketing claims. Logistic regression assessed relationships between agreement and serving these products, controlling for individual characteristics. Over one‐half of caregivers of infants (52%) agreed that infant formula can be better for babies' digestion and brain development than breastmilk, and 62% agreed it can provide nutrition not present in breastmilk. Most caregivers of toddlers (60%) agreed that toddler milks provide nutrition toddlers do not get from other foods. Some caregivers of infants (11%) reported serving toddler milk to their child most often. Agreement with marketing claims increased the odds of serving infant formula and/or toddler milks. For caregivers of toddlers, odds were higher for college‐educated and lower for non‐Hispanic White caregivers. Common marketing messages promoting infant formula and toddler milks may mislead caregivers about benefits and appropriateness of serving to young children. These findings support calls for public health policies and increased regulation of infant formula and toddler milks.

US toddler milk sales and associations with marketing practices.

Extensive marketing of 'toddler milks' (sugar-sweetened milk-based drinks for toddlers) promotes unsubstantiated product benefits and raises concerns about consumption by young children. The present study documents trends in US toddler milk sales and assesses relationships with brand and category marketing. We report annual US toddler milk and infant formula sales and marketing from 2006 to 2015. Sales response models estimate associations between marketing (television advertising spending, product price, number of retail displays) and volume sales of toddler milks by brand and category. US Nielsen retail scanner sales and advertising spending data from 2006 to 2015. Researchers analysed all Universal Product Codes (n 117·4 million) sold by seven infant formula and eight toddler milk brands from 2006 to 2015. Advertising spending on toddler milks increased fourfold during this 10-year period and volume sales increased 2·6 times. In contrast, advertising spending and volume sales of infant formulas declined. Toddler milk volume sales were positively associated with television advertising and retail displays, and negatively associated with price, at both the brand and category levels. Aggressive marketing of toddler milks has likely contributed to rapid sales increases in the USA. However, these sugar-sweetened drinks are not recommended for toddler consumption. Health-care providers, professional organizations and public health campaigns should provide clear guidance and educate parents to reduce toddler milk consumption and address misperceptions about their benefits. These findings also support the need to regulate marketing of toddler milks in countries that prohibit infant formula marketing to consumers.

Infant formula and toddler milk marketing: opportunities to address harmful practices and improve young children's diets.

Children's diets in their first 1000 days influence dietary preferences, eating habits, and long-term health. Yet the diets of most infants and toddlers in the United States do not conform to recommendations for optimal child nutrition. This narrative review examines whether marketing for infant formula and other commercial baby/toddler foods plays a role. The World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing Breast-milk Substitutes strongly encourages countries and manufacturers to prohibit marketing practices that discourage initiation of, and continued, breastfeeding. However, in the United States, widespread infant formula marketing negatively impacts breastfeeding. Research has also identified questionable marketing of toddler milks (formula/milk-based drinks for children aged 12-36 mo). The United States has relied exclusively on industry self-regulation, but US federal agencies and state and local governments could regulate problematic marketing of infant formula and toddler milks. Health providers and public health organizations should also provide guidance. However, further research is needed to better understand how marketing influences what and how caregivers feed their young children and inform potential interventions and regulatory solutions.

MINIMALISASI STUNTING DAN DETEKSI DINI MASALAH PERKEMBANGAN BALITA DI POSYANDU 2 DESA ARANGMANGU KECAMATAN PURWOJATI BANYUMAS

Banyumas Regency is ranked in the top 100 districts with the highest stunting rates in Indonesia. The stunting rate in Banyumas is known to be 24% of the 300 under-five samples, the number has exceeded the WHO standard, which is a maximum of 20%. In Karangmangu Village based on the results of a preliminary survey in Posyandu 2 Karangmangu of 30 toddlers who carried out weighing in Posyandu 2 found that 5 children were stunted and 2 were malnourished. Based on preliminary data at Posyandu 2, it is necessary to make a comprehensive approach especially for babies under the age of 2 years (Baduta). Early detection of malnutrition status and stunting is expected to be handled properly so as to minimize problems that can arise from malnutrition and stunting problems. The activities that will be carried out include a thorough assessment, examination of growth and development, examination of motor development, training in appetite massage for infants / toddlers, provision of vitamin A and supplementation of milk for toddlers with malnutrition and stunting. The results of this activity were the detection of cases of malnutrition and stunting of infants under 2 years of age (Baduta) in Karangmangu Village, assisting Baduta with counseling about stunting and malnutrition, training in cold cough massage and appetite massage, vitamin A supplementation and supplementary food at each meeting, as well as providing additional milk for infants of poor nutritional status and stunting of 15 under two toddlers.

Iodine-fortified toddler milk improves dietary iodine intakes and iodine status in toddlers: a randomised controlled trial.

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of consuming iodine-fortified toddler milk for improving dietary iodine intakes and biochemical iodine status in toddlers. In a 20-week parallel randomised controlled trial, healthy 12-20-month-old children were assigned to: Fortified Milk [n = 45; iodine-fortified (21.1µg iodine/100g prepared drink) cow's milk], or Non-Fortified Milk (n = 90; non-fortified cow's milk). Food and nutrient intakes were assessed with 3-day weighed food records at baseline, and weeks 4 and 20. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured at baseline and 20weeks. At baseline, toddlers' median milk intake was 429g/day. There was no evidence that milk intakes changed within or between the groups during the intervention. Toddlers' baseline geometric mean iodine intake was 46.9µg/day, and the median UIC of 43µg/L in the Fortified Milk group and 55µg/L in the Non-Fortified Milk group indicated moderate and mild iodine deficiency, respectively, with this difference due to chance. During the intervention, iodine intakes increased by 136% (p < 0.001) and UIC increased by 85µg/L (p < 0.001) in the Fortified Milk group compared to the Non-Fortified Milk group. The 20-week median UIC was 91µg/L in the Fortified Milk group and 49µg/L in the Non-Fortified Milk group. Consumption of ≈ 1.7 cups of iodine-fortified toddler milk per day for 20weeks can increase dietary iodine intakes and UIC in healthy iodine-deficient toddlers. This strategy alone is unlikely to provide sufficient intake to ensure adequate iodine status in toddlers at risk of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency.

Considerations regarding the use of infant formula products in infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) programs

Infants and young children are vulnerable in emergencies. The Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (OG-IFE) provides direction to governments, aid organisations and individuals on how to support the wellbeing of this population. The importance of breastfeeding in promoting child survival in emergencies cannot be overestimated. Therefore, the primary intervention in infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) is to support exclusive breastfeeding for infants 0-6 months and then continued breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for children 6-24 months. However, non-breastfeeding children are vulnerable in emergencies and require intensive support. The OG-IFE outlines requirements and protocols to minimise the risks of artificial feeding in emergencies. This paper explains the reasoning behind, and the application of, these requirements. The OG-IFE emphasises that infant formula should not be provided unless breastfeeding is not possible and that except in extraordinary circumstances, individual assessment of the need for infant formula is required. It states that infant formula should be purchased and not donated and that neither follow-on formula nor toddler milks should be used. It notes that whether ready-to-use liquid infant formula or powdered infant formula is most suitable for a program will depend upon factors such as the availability of funds, of products, of water and fuel, and of storage facilities. It says that infant formula labelling should meet the requirements of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and be in the language of the recipient population, with appropriate instructions and warnings. It describes how caregivers should be discouraged from using bottles and supported to use easily cleanable cups for feeding infant formula. It notes that infant formula should be provided to infants unable to access breastmilk until they are at least 6 months of age. It also says that caregivers of formula-fed infants should be supported with a package of other resources to support safer feeding that includes: fuel, clean water, equipment for household preparation and feeding of infant formula, one-to-one education and demonstrations on safe preparation of infant formula feeds, and growth and health monitoring of the infant. It stresses that breastfeeding support should be provided alongside any artificial feeding program so as not to displace breastfeeding. Finally, it notes that in order to maximise effectiveness, IYCF-E requires a cross sectorial response with the involvement of various sectors, including child protection, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, HIV, mental health and psychosocial support, education, disability, logistics, shelter, food security and livelihoods, and cash transfer programs.

Differences in infant feeding practices between Chinese-born and Australian-born mothers living in Australia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Recent qualitative evidence from Victorian Maternal and Child Health nurses indicate that infants of Chinese parents commonly have rapid growth trajectories and that high value is placed on rapid growth and having a fatter child; with low breastfeeding rates and overfeeding of infant formula. The aim of this study was to compare infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, infant formula, other liquids, solids) of Chinese-born and Australian-born mothers living in Australia.MethodsUsing the Australian National Infant Feeding Survey dataset (2010–2011), infant feeding data from Chinese-born mothers (n = 602) were compared with a random sub-sample of Australian-born mothers (n = 602). Group differences on feeding practices were tested using Chi-square or t-tests and the effect of ethnicity on infant feeding behaviours assessed using regression.ResultsCompared to infants of Australian-born mothers, infants of Chinese-born mothers were younger when they first consumed infant formula, water-based drinks and fruit juice and older when they first ate solid foods (p < 0.05). Furthermore, infants of Chinese-born mothers were less likely to have ever had cow’s milk (OR: 0.37 95%CI:, 0.18–0.78) and solids (0.41, 0.25–0.68); but were more likely to have ever had infant formula (2.19, 1.32–3.62), water (2.45, 1.55–3.87), toddler milk (3.39, 1.60–7.18), water-based drinks (e.g. cordial, soft drink, tea; 2.48, 1.12–5.49), and fruit juice (4.03, 2.50–6.51). Those ≤4 months of age were more likely to have had water-based drinks (7.77, 1.96–30.77) and fruit juice (3.44, 1.14–10.38) (p < 0.05) compared to infants of Australian-born mothers.ConclusionDifferences in mothers’ early infant feeding practices exist between Chinese-born and Australian-born mothers living in Australia. Better understanding these ethnically patterned infant feeding practices is important for identifying key opportunities to promote best nutrition and growth in early life in different ethnic groups within our population.

Unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage advertising on children\u2019s, youth and family free-to-air and digital television programmes in Thailand

BackgroundFood advertising is a key factor which influences children’s food preferences. This study assessed the rates, nutritional quality and contents of food and beverage advertising in children’s, youth and family television programmes in Thailand.MethodsFree TV was recorded for two weeks in March 2014 from six to ten am and three to eight pm on weekends and three to eight pm on weekdays across all four channels; a total of 344 h recorded. Digital TV was recorded across three channels for one week for 24 h per day in October 2014; a total 504 h recorded.ResultsFor Free TV, 1359 food advertisements were identified, with on average 2.9 non-core food advertisements per hour per channel. The most frequently advertised food products on free TV were sugar-sweetened drinks. The rates of advertisements containing promotional characters and premium offers were significantly higher for non-core than core foods, 1.2 versus 0.03 and 0.6 versus 0.0 per hour respectively. For Digital TV, 693 food advertisements were identified, with an average of one non-core food advertisement per hour per channel. The most frequently advertised food products on digital TV were baby and toddler milk formulae.ConclusionsFood and beverage advertising on Thai television is predominantly unhealthy. Therefore, the Government and related agencies should introduce and enforce policies to address this issue. Current regulations should be adapted to control both the frequency and nature of unhealthy on-air food marketing to protect the health of Thai children.

Toddler drinks, formulas, and milks: Labeling practices and policy implications

Toddler drinks are a growing category of drinks marketed for young children 9–36 months old. Medical experts do not recommend them, and public health experts raise concerns about misleading labeling practices. In the U.S., the toddler drink category includes two types of products: transition formulas, marketed for infants and toddlers 9–24 months; and toddler milks, for children 12–36 months old.The objective of this study was to evaluate toddler drink labeling practices in light of U.S. food labeling policy and international labeling recommendations. In January 2017, we conducted legal research on U.S. food label laws and regulations; collected and evaluated toddler drink packages, including nutrition labels and claims; and compared toddler drink labels with the same brand's infant formula labels. We found that the U.S. has a regulatory structure for food labels and distinct policies for infant formula, but no laws specific to toddler drinks. Toddler drink labels utilized various terms and images to identify products and intended users; made multiple health and nutrition claims; and some stated there was scientific or expert support for the product. Compared to the same manufacturer's infant formula labels, most toddler drink labels utilized similar colors, branding, logos, and graphics.Toddler drink labels may confuse consumers about their nutrition and health benefits and the appropriateness of these products for young children. To support healthy toddler diets and well-informed decision-making by caregivers, the FDA can provide guidance or propose regulations clarifying permissible toddler drink labels and manufacturers should end inappropriate labeling practices.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk for the detection of adulteration by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

The present work focuses on the development of a fast and cost effective method based on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to the quality control, traceability and detection of adulteration in milk. Two adulteration cases have been studied; a qualitative analysis for the discrimination between different milk blends and quantification of melamine in adulterated toddler milk powder. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and neural networks (NN) have been used to analyze LIBS spectra obtaining a correct classification rate of 98% with a 100% of robustness. For the quantification of melamine, two methodologies have been developed; univariate analysis using CN emission band and multivariate calibration NN model obtaining correlation coefficient (R2) values of 0.982 and 0.999 respectively. The results of the use of LIBS technique coupled with chemometric analysis are discussed in terms of its potential use in the food industry to perform the quality control of this dairy product.

Toddler Formulas: Nutritional Value and Marketing Claims

BackgroundA previous report found that toddler formula brands (fortified milks for children 1–3 years old) spent almost $17 million in adverting in 2015, an increase of 74% compared with 2011. Pediatric nutrition experts specifically recommend against serving these products due to lack of scientific evidence of advantage over whole milk and recommend adding a multivitamin if nutrient deficiencies are of concern. Parents may think that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces strict regulations for toddler formulas when the only regulation is in terms of ingredient safety. Several concerns have been raised concerning the use of structure/function claims (connections of nutrients or ingredients with effects on the human body) due to possible consumer confusion. Given the growing market for toddler formulas and the increase in marketing it is necessary to expose the nutritional content and ingredients in these products. Study objectiveTo characterize the nutritional quality of toddler milk and determi...

Predictors of vitamin D status in New Zealand preschool children.

Vitamin D deficiency has adverse health effects in young children. Our aims were to determine predictors of vitamin D status and then to use these factors to develop a practical tool to predict low 25(OH)D concentrations in preschool New Zealand children. A cross-sectional sample of 1329 children aged 2 to <5 years were enrolled from throughout New Zealand in late-winter to spring 2012. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured on dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected using finger-prick sampling. Caregivers completed a questionnaire. Mean (SD) DBS 25(OH)D concentration was 52(19)nmol/L. 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L was present in 86(7%), 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L in 642(48%), 25(OH)D 50- < 75 nmol/L in 541(41%) and 25(OH)D > 75 nmol/L in 146(11%) of children. Factors independently associated with the risk of 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L were female gender (OR 1.92,95%CI 1.17-3.14), other non-European ethnicities (not including Māori or Pacific) (3.51,1.89-6.50), had olive-dark skin colour (4.52,2.22-9.16), did not take vitamin D supplements (2.56,1.06-6.18), had mothers with less than secondary-school qualifications (5.00,2.44-10.21) and lived in more deprived households (1.27,1.06-1.53). Children who drank toddler milk (vitamin D fortified cow's milk formula marketed to young children) had a zero risk of 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L. The predictive tool identified children at risk of 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L with sensitivity 42%, specificity 97% and ROC area-under-curve 0.76(95%CI 0.67-0.86, p < 0.001). Predictors of low vitamin D status were consistent with those identified in previous studies of New Zealand children. The tool had insufficient predictive ability for use in clinical situations, and suggests a need to promote safe, inexpensive testing to determine vitamin D status in preschool children.

Analytical Determination of Vitamin B12 Content in Infant and Toddler Milk Formulas by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

The development of a sample preparation method and optimization of the analytical instrumentation conditions were performed for the determination of the vitamin B12 content in emulsified baby foods sold on the Korea market. After removal of the milk protein and fats by chloroform extraction and centrifugation, the vitamin B12 was water extracted from the sample. Following filtration of the solution through a nylon filter, the water-soluble extract was purified by solid-phase extraction using a Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The solution eluted from the cartridge was dried under a stream of nitrogen gas and reconstituted with 1 mL of water. The sample solution was injected into an LC-MS/MS system after optimizing the mobile phase for vitamin B12 detection. The calibration curve showed good linearity with the coefficient of correlation (r2) value of 0.9999. The limit of detection was 0.03 µg/L and the limit of quantitation was 0.1 µg/L. The method of detection limit was 0.02 µg/kg. The vitamin B12 recovery from a spiking test was 99.62% for infant formula and 99.46% for cereal-based baby food. The sample preparation method developed in this study would be appropriate for the rapid determination of the vitamin B12 content in infant formula and baby foods with emulsified milk characteristics. The ability to obtain stable results more quickly and efficiently would also allow governments to exercise a more extensive quality control inspection and monitoring of products expected to contain vitamin B12. This method could be implemented in laboratories that require time and labor saving.

Food security for infants and young children: an opportunity for breastfeeding policy?

BackgroundIncreased global demand for imported breast milk substitutes (infant formula, follow-on formula and toddler milks) in Asia, particularly China, and food safety recalls have led to shortages of these products in high income countries. At the same time, commodification and trade of expressed breast milk have fuelled debate about its regulation, cost and distribution. In many economies suboptimal rates of breastfeeding continue to be perpetuated, at least partially, because of a failure to recognise the time, labour and opportunity costs of breast milk production. To date, these issues have not figured prominently in discussions of food security. Policy responses have been piecemeal and reveal conflicts between promotion and protection of breastfeeding and a deregulated trade environment that facilitates the marketing and consumption of breast milk substitutes.DiscussionThe elements of food security are the availability, accessibility, utilization and stability of supply of nutritionally appropriate and acceptable quantities of food. These concepts have been applied to food sources for infants and young children: breastfeeding, shared breast milk and breast milk substitutes, in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) guidelines on infant feeding. A preliminary analysis indicates that a food security framework may be used to respond appropriately to the human rights, ethical, economic and environmental sustainability issues that affect the supply and affordability of different infant foods.SummaryFood security for infants and young children is not possible without high rates of breastfeeding. Existing international and national instruments to protect, promote and support breastfeeding have not been implemented on a wide scale globally. These instruments need review to take into account the emerging trade environment that includes use of the internet, breast milk markets and globalised supply chains for breast milk substitutes. New approaches are required to handle the long-standing policy conflicts that surround infant and young child feeding. Placing breastfeeding in a food security framework may achieve the political attention and policy co-ordination required to accelerate breastfeeding rates in a range of economies.

Comparison of the Nutritional Values of Toddler Milks Available in Italy

If breast milk is not available infant formula ensures a balanced intake of nutrients and is undoubtedly more suitable for infants than cows’ milk. In particular, it should point out the absolute necessity to postpone to the end of the first year of life, or even after the 2 nd year, the use of cow's milk for the extreme imbalance of nutrients that lead to high-protein diets and low levels of polyunsaturated fats, iron and zinc. As a consequence, in the absence of breast milk, the use of an appropriately adapted formula in the first year of life and the use of “toddler milk” from 12 to 36 months may represent adequate nutritional alternatives, especially when compare to the use of cow milk, and in particular may appear to play a fundamental role in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Different varieties of toddler milk are currently available in Italy. This review outlines the nutritional differences between breast, toddler and cows’ milks, and compares different brands of toddler milk.

CO30 LONG-TERM IMPACT OF FEEDING FORMULA ON INTESTINAL ADAPTATION OF INFANTILE SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME

year of life, while there are no data concerning high-protein formulas during the subsequent 12 months (Koletzko 2009). The randomized clinical trial CHOP (Socha 2011) shows that the intake of milk with high protein content in the 1st year of life, stimulates the GHIGF-1 axis and, therefore, a weight gain. Subsequent monitoring up to 24 months, however, shows an obesogenic effect limited to this type of feeding given during the first 6 months of life. Conclusions: Toddlers milks have compositions which are substantially equivalent. After 12 months of age and up to 3 years a toddler milk is preferable to standard cow’s milk, as it presents qualitative and quantitative characteristics (vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, w3/w6 ratios) potentially advantageous for bone growth, decreased risk of iron deficiency and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Their protein content, at times variable, does not seem to have clear obesogenic implications. Hitherto, obesogenic implications have been demonstrated only for type 1 and type 2 higher-protein formulas fed during the first six (-twelve) months of life and not later for toddlers milks.

Foreword

Toddler drinks are a growing category of drinks marketed for young children 9–36 months old. Medical experts do not recommend them, and public health experts raise concerns about misleading labeling practices. In the U.S., the toddler drink category includes two types of products: transition formulas, marketed for infants and toddlers 9–24 months; and toddler milks, for children 12–36 months old.The objective of this study was to evaluate toddler drink labeling practices in light of U.S. food labeling policy and international labeling recommendations. In January 2017, we conducted legal research on U.S. food label laws and regulations; collected and evaluated toddler drink packages, including nutrition labels and claims; and compared toddler drink labels with the same brand's infant formula labels. We found that the U.S. has a regulatory structure for food labels and distinct policies for infant formula, but no laws specific to toddler drinks. Toddler drink labels utilized various terms and images to identify products and intended users; made multiple health and nutrition claims; and some stated there was scientific or expert support for the product. Compared to the same manufacturer's infant formula labels, most toddler drink labels utilized similar colors, branding, logos, and graphics.Toddler drink labels may confuse consumers about their nutrition and health benefits and the appropriateness of these products for young children. To support healthy toddler diets and well-informed decision-making by caregivers, the FDA can provide guidance or propose regulations clarifying permissible toddler drink labels and manufacturers should end inappropriate labeling practices.

Arsenic, organic foods, and brown rice syrup.

Background: Rice can be a major source of inorganic arsenic (Asi) for many sub-populations. Rice products are also used as ingredients in prepared foods, some of which may not be obviously rice based. Organic brown rice syrup (OBRS) is used as a sweetener in organic food products as an alternative to high-fructose corn syrup. We hypothesized that OBRS introduces As into these products.Objective: We determined the concentration and speciation of As in commercially available brown rice syrups and in products containing OBRS, including toddler formula, cereal/energy bars, and high-energy foods used by endurance athletes.Methods: We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography coupled to ICP-MS to determine total As (Astotal) concentrations and As speciation in products purchased via the Internet or in stores in the Hanover, New Hampshire, area.Discussion: We found that OBRS can contain high concentrations of Asi and dimethyl-arsenate (DMA). An “organic” toddler milk formula containing OBRS as the primary ingredient had Astotal concentrations up to six times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safe drinking water limit. Cereal bars and high-energy foods containing OBRS also had higher As concentrations than equivalent products that did not contain OBRS. Asi was the main As species in most food products tested in this study.Conclusions: There are currently no U.S. regulations applicable to As in food, but our findings suggest that the OBRS products we evaluated may introduce significant concentrations of Asi into an individual’s diet. Thus, we conclude that there is an urgent need for regulatory limits on As in food.

Toddler milk advertising in Australia: Infant formula advertising in disguise?

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.

Vitamin D-Fortified Milk Achieves the Targeted Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration without Affecting That of Parathyroid Hormone in New Zealand Toddlers

For young children, the level of vitamin D required to ensure that most achieve targeted serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] ≥50 nmol/L has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D-fortified milk on serum 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and to examine the dose–response relationship between vitamin D intake from study milks and serum 25(OH)D concentrations in healthy toddlers aged 12–20 mo living in Dunedin, New Zealand (latitude 46°S). Data from a 20-wk, partially blinded, randomized trial that investigated the effect of providing red meat or fortified toddler milk on the iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin D status in young New Zealand children (n= 181; mean age 17 mo) were used. Adherence to the intervention was assessed by 7-d weighed diaries at wk 2, 7, 11, 15, and 19. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured at baseline and wk 20. Mean vitamin D intake provided by fortified milk was 3.7μg/d (range, 0–10.4μg/d). After 20 wk, serum 25(OH)D concentrations but not PTH were significantly different in the milk groups. The prevalence of having a serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L remained relatively unchanged at 43% in the meat group, whereas it significantly decreased to between 11 and 15% in those consuming fortified study milk. In New Zealand, vitamin D intake in young children is minimal. Our findings indicate that habitual consumption of vitamin D-fortified milk providing a mean intake of nearly 4μg/d was effective in achieving adequate year-round serum 25(OH)D for most children.