The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a warning against powdered drink mixes commonly marketed as “toddler milks” for older babies and children up to age 3, stating that they are unregulated, unnecessary, and “nutritionally incomplete.” These drinks, often advertised on platforms like TikTok and television, frequently contain added sugar and salt. Dr. George Fuchs, a member of the AAP’s nutrition committee, emphasized that the manufacturers make unproven claims that the drinks enhance children’s brain function or immune systems.
What Are “Toddler Milks?”
These powdered milk mixes are typically sold in cans and designed to be mixed with water. They are often manufactured by companies that produce leading infant formulas, packaged with similar labels, and placed on the same store shelves. These products are primarily marketed as nutritious beverages for babies older than 6 to 12 months and preschoolers up to age 3.
How Are They Different Than Regular Baby Formula?
Infant formula is strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must meet specific nutritional requirements as a substitute for human milk for babies up to 12 months. The facilities where infant formula is produced are subject to regular inspections. In contrast, there are no federal regulations governing milk drink mixes for older babies and toddlers. It’s important to note that toddler drinks are distinct from medical formulas prescribed for specific conditions, such as heart disease or difficulties digesting certain foods.
Why Are Health Experts Concerned?
Experts like Dr. Fuchs express concerns about the absence of common standards for toddler milks, resulting in widely varying ingredients among different brands. Most of these drinks contain added sugar and are targeted at children who are at an age when they could develop a lasting preference for sweets, potentially leading to obesity and other health issues.
Frances Fleming-Milici, director of marketing initiatives and a research professor at the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, suggests that toddler milks could be considered a “gateway sugary drink.” Additionally, these products tend to be pricier than cow’s milk and are regarded as nutritionally inferior.
What About the Marketing?
Toddler milks are heavily advertised, and their sales have surged in recent years, from $39 million in 2006 to $92 million in 2015, as per a 2020 study. Companies often promote these products in a manner that might lead parents to believe these drinks are nutritionally essential, as they closely resemble infant formula.
A study revealed that 60% of caregivers of toddlers believed that these drinks provided nutrition that their children wouldn’t obtain from other foods.
What Do the Companies Say?
The Infant Nutrition Council of America asserts that toddler milks are explicitly labeled for children older than 12 months and “can contribute to nutritional intake and potentially fill nutrition gaps.” This trade group comprises leading manufacturers of formula and toddler drinks, including Abbott Nutrition, Perrigo Nutrition, and Reckitt.
What Should Families Do?
The AAP advises that families and healthcare providers should receive better education on toddler milks, emphasizing that these products “have no specific role in the routine care of healthy children.” The group also calls for requirements to ensure that these products are not associated with regulated infant formula or placed alongside formula products in stores. While the FDA is still reviewing a health group’s petition from 2020 to regulate toddler milks, families concerned about the nutrition of older babies and toddlers are encouraged to rely on fortified grains and milks, protein, fruits, and vegetables instead.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
