Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Childhood

The Commonwealth Government is funding the development of guidelines on healthy eating and physical activity for children 0-5 years attending early childhood settings such as  childcare, preschools and family day care.  The guidelines are part of the government's plan to prevent overweight and obesity in young children. The guidelines will be evidence based and will contain practical information on how they can be implemented. The project is being co-ordinated by Early Childhood Australia. More information is available at www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Change to minimum age labelling on infant foods put on hold

It has been nearly 5 years since Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) put forward Proposal P274, Review of Minimum Age Labelling of Foods For Infants (1). This proposal looked at changing the minimum age labelling  required on infant foods from 4 months (2) to around 6 months to bring it in line with the then newly released Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents (3).  Since this time consultations have taken place, with FSANZ's final report  recommending that the minimum age labelling in Standard 2.9.2 be changed to around 6 months (4).

Prebiotics now allowed in infant formula

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved the addition of prebiotics  to infant formula after an extensive safety review (1). Prebiotics  are dietary components that provide food for the gut bacteria. The prebiotics that can be added are inulin derived substances  (inulin, long chain inulin and oligofructose) and galacto-oligosaccharides (2). They can be added singularly, in combination or in any ratio up to a specified level.  The addition is optional, so there will still be a choice of formulas with or without these ingredients.

New Alcohol Guidelines for Australians

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)  has released new guidelines on how much alcohol Australians can safely consume in order to avoid or reduce any adverse health effects.

Sodium Content of Heinz Infant and Little Kids foods

The Australian and New Zealand Food Satndards Code (1) has strict regulations governing the sodium content of infant formulas (Standard 2.9.1) and infant foods (Standard 2.9.2).