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).

 The sodium content infant formula must fall between 5-15 mg/100kJ. The Heinz Nurture range of formulas all comply with Starter (Standard and Gold) containing 6.2mg/100kJ or 18mg sodium/100mls and Follow On (Satndard and Gold), 7.4mg sodium/100kJ or 21 mg sodium/100mls.

In accordance with Standard 2.9.2 Heinz infant cereals and infant foods contain no added salt and less than 100mg sodium (0.25g salt)/100g. Rusks are an exception and are permitted to contain no more than 350mg (0.8g salt) sodium/100g. Salt is added to rusks to make them hard, so they don't break easily and cause choking.

Foods marketed to children over 12 months must comply with the general food standard as there are no specific regulations for them. Heinz has developed nutritional guidelines for foods in the Little Kids range ( for children aged 1-3 years). Little Kids Bikkies and Rice Bars contain on average at least 55% less sodium than other similar foods.

Under Australian law foods labelled low salt must contain 120mg (0.3g salt) or less of sodium per 100g. Foods with reduced salt content generally contain 25%-30% less salt than the higher salt version. Heinz reduced salt baked beans, Heinz reduced salt  tomato sauce and Greenseas tuna in spring water all contain lower levels of salt.

References

1. Food Standards Australia New Zealand ( FSANZ) Australian Foods Standards Code http://www,foodstandards.gov.au/thecode/foodstandardscode.cfm