I was blessed with an opportunity to sit down with Stephanie Hof, Registered Pediatric Dietitian and U.S. Healthcare Manager with Kendamil, to discuss all things starting solids with our infants! We were able to dive into the when's, why's, how's, and what's + so much more when it comes to feeding those first foods to your infant! Check out the full interview below!
It's definitely not always easy to feed our kiddos. From the start of those first foods to picky eating to growing kids and teens who need more calories and energy than we can fathom. It is truly a constant challenge.
The FDA has set new standards when it comes to Lead in Infant Foods. This sets new, maximum amounts that can be permitted in a variety of foods. These foods include jarred fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and cereals.
"The FDA guidance sets a lead limit of 10 parts per billion for fruits, most vegetables, grain and meat mixtures, yogurts, custards and puddings and single-ingredient meats. It sets a limit of 20 parts per billion for single-ingredient root vegetables and for dry infant cereals. The guidance covers packaged processed foods sold in jars, pouches, tubs or boxes."
That sounds so lovely! Especially since they weren't even working on it according to that panel that presented to the Senate back in October....
Reality?
The 'Closer To Zero' movement has been in the works for years. It has a whole series of parts and steps. I have covered this initiative a few times over the years. Here is a look at the official FDA website on this topic! https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/closer-zero-reducing-childhood-exposure-contaminants-foods
& while the steps forward by the FDA are clearly good ones, there are quite a few questions that remain. Gaps that should have also been filled..
This is somewhat voluntary. While the products I've listed above to have to meet this new maximum, they do not have to achieve more. And products that are not listed above.... well... yeah...
"The limits are voluntary, not mandatory, for food manufacturers, but they allow the FDA to take enforcement action if foods exceed the levels." https://apnews.com/article/lead-baby-food-fda-guidelines-4883f8afe285ee7c28e8322d5e353f21
This ruling doesn't apply to two major contributors in lead exposure...
Grains are known to be sources of lead as many grow in the ground. Lead can leach from soil in foods grown in soil.
Puffs and Teething Biscuits are the two foods not included in the guidance above, however should be!
Strange.
It's pretty clear that many were hoping for more at this point. A bigger step taken. Hopefully, its coming soon.
*Reminder: lead is a naturally occurring compound in soil! Over time, the concentration of lead has changed, in part due to products such as lead-paint, lead-covered pipes, etc. Today, lead can leech into foods as they grow in soils, can be contaminated by water with high lead levels, and can be impacted by the tools we use to cook our foods. One of the best strategies for limiting lead exposure = variety and moderation in diet!
Read the article from AP News:
Resource Time:
And make sure to check out my Starting Solids Checklists - these are PDF files that give a huge range of ideas when it comes to introducing new foods, all based on how old baby is! Use this list as an actual shopping list or as a tool to create meals for your little one!
Whether this is day one of solids or baby is turning one year old this week... keep it up!! First foods are important for baby development in so many ways! Here are a few major benefits in development during this time:
Nutrients! - while solid foods do not take the place as main nutrition source in the first year, these "complementary" foods do provide additional nutrients for baby! Iron is an example of one nutrient in particular that solid foods are able to help provide more!
Motor Skills - whether we are practicing BLW or using purees, there are tons of motor skills that are developed and practiced during meal times. Everything from picking up a cup to picking up a cheerio + how to use utensils, cups, hands, etc.
The skills of eating - in a similar way, baby has never been exposed to various textures in food. Allowing baby to practice chewing, swallowing, managing 'how much is too much', bite sizes, etc. are all beneficial skills! Learning about body cues also begins early on - baby can begin practicing to understand those hunger and full cues on a deeper level!
Allergen Introduction - studies are showing that earlier introduction to common food allergens has been associated with a decreased risk in developing that food allergy (see LEAP study for more details!),
And those are just a handful of the benefits of those first foods during that first year! No matter how you are introducing those foods, you are doing a great job!!
Thank you for your support and love in this space! It means more to me than you will ever know.
I truly enjoy sharing this information and I hope you find the information provided valuable. If you do find this information helpful, I kindly ask that you consider sharing - via social media, word of mouth, email, etc. I would love to help support as many out there as I can! <3
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Thank you again for giving Baby Food & Fun, LLC a place to grow and flourish, just like our kids :)
Jessica Enderle, R.D., L.D.
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