Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Organic Baby Food – Organic Baby Foods Preferred by Parents and Food Manufacturers Alike

03.28.2008 | 10:03:01 am | Posted by mummums

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

organic baby food, child development When discussing the benefits of organic foods, it is important to address the populations most susceptible to harmful chemicals found in conventionally produced foods. Those populations are babies, children, expecting and breastfeeding mothers. It appears food manufacturers have also taken note of this sensitive population as organic baby foods as well as organic children’s foods sales are rapidly on the rise.

Parents are now choosing to feed their babies organic foods at a rate higher than has ever been seen before. Organic baby foods are even appearing in mainstream stores such as Babies R Us. In 2007, organic baby food sales have risen 21.6 percent to $116 million dollars. Since 2001, organic baby food sales have jumped 63%. The largest increase in these sales has been seen in strained, jarred baby food when compared with cereals and juices.

Several grocers are also noticing the increase in the need for organic baby food, as Whole Foods Inc. stated last year they had to triple the space in their stores allotted for organic baby products over the preceding 5 years. Even Gerber has replaced its “Tender Harvest” brand with a new line entitled “Gerber Organics”. Although the Tender Harvest brand sold well, according to Gerber execs, sales could not keep up with growing organic baby food market. Stonyfield Farm’s YoBaby organic yogurt can be found in most supermarkets across the country.

There is good reason companies are following suit by providing more organic foods for babies and children. The most important reason is that infants and children are far more susceptible to the toxic chemicals found in our food supply because of their inability to detoxify harmful chemicals. Baby foods are condensed, concentrated portions of food and if the food is not organic, it can also be a concentrated dose of pesticides. The same goes for expecting women, as the unborn infants cannot eliminate pesticides without fully developed livers. In addition, pesticides and herbicides from conventional foods cross into the placenta and directly into the bloodstream of the fetus.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has yet to take a public stance on conventional versus organic baby food. The USDA also does not claim any nutritional differences in either type of baby foods, yet the consumers have certainly spoken and clearly businesses have followed suit. Scientists state much more research is needed to understand the effects of pesticides on children. However, it is important to note it took scientists years, and grave injuries to hundreds of babies, to fully understand the harmful effects of lead. Consumer Reports recommends infants eat organic baby food whenever possible to avoid posing any potential health risks. Parents across the globe are continuing to choose organic in an effort to provide the best for their baby, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. While most parents hope to help build a foundation for their baby that ensures a long, healthy life; it seems that choosing organic baby food is a logical first step.

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