Annabel Karmel response to the BBC Panorama Investigation into Child Nutrition
As a leading provider of foods to children under 5, Annabel Karmel Group Holdings Limited welcome the BBC Panorama investigation into child nutrition for the under-5’s shown on 25th January 2010 . The issues raised in the programme are important as many parents are confused about the dietary requirements for toddlers and pre-school children.
However, the allegations made by the BBC programme regarding the nutritional elements of Eat Fussy Lasagne were misleading. The Lasagne does contain more fat and salt due to the cheese content which is a nutritious food providing much needed protein and calcium to children. However, this is just one meal in a range of eight, the majority of which are low in saturated fat and salt. According to the British Nutrition Foundation, “toddlers should be encouraged to consume milk and dairy products such as cheese as these are particularly good source of bio-available calcium, which is important for bone development, as well as providing a range of other nutrients. A diet which is low in fat and high in fibre may not supply enough energy for a young child.” The Lasagne also provides iron and the commonest nutritional deficiency in young children is iron deficiency.
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The 1g salt content in the main meal of 220g is not excessive and all the meals comply with government guidelines, this has been confirmed by four nutritionists and CASH (Consensus on Action on Salt and Health). As the meals are aimed at 1 to 4 year olds, it is also important to remember that we state on pack the meals are a generous portion for young toddlers and most would not eat the whole contents.
The guidelines for 4 year olds are 3g per day. The portion we provide would feed a hungry four year old so 1g in a main meal is not too much at all. A one year old would manage about half a portion and we know that our parents divide the meals for younger children or split them between two children.
Even if a toddler of one or two were to eat the entire meal this would still be OK for part of a balanced diet - for example if the baby had porridge and fruit for breakfast and something like chicken and rice for lunch (in fact our chicken and Rice meal contains 0.6 g of salt and 0.7 g of saturated fat per 220g. |
Detailed nutritional information is provided on pack for each Eat Fussy meal and on the Annabel Karmel web-site (www.annabelkarmel.com), giving parents the opportunity to make informed decisions on their child’s diet. It is perfectly possible for any of the Eat Fussy meals to be balanced with other items on any one day, still keeping within nutritional guidelines.
Only 35% of mums cook from scratch* and Eat Fussy offers a good alternative. Eat Fussy is spearheading the quality of children’s meals whilst not compromising on taste and as a result has become the UK’s most popular range of branded ready meals for children. The Lasagne is just one in a range of meals of 8. Toddlers are notoriously fussy eaters and we are providing a solution for parents by developing meals that contain nutrients they need but also appeal to the child. There is little point in making a bland meal that children will not eat. If healthy alternatives are bland and children refuse to eat them frustrated parents may well turn to chicken nuggets, pizzas and pot noodles. Annabel has spent the last 20 years working on improving the quality of food for children and there must be a balance between nutrition and taste
The range is constantly tested on consumers and we respond to feedback to alter recipes. As a result, we have recently decided to remove the small amount of free sugar from all our Eat Fussy meals over the next three months. The reason for adding sugar in the first place was to counteract the acidity of the tomatoes..
Salmon and Cod Fish Pie which is our most popular meal provides essential fatty acids which are often lacking in a child’s diet and the Lasagne provides iron and iron deficiency is the commonest nutritional deficiency in your children.
The guidelines for children’s food are far more stringent than for adult food and we need to ensure we have low pesticide levels and the range is free from additives. This is why the ingredients we buy are relatively expensive.
Annabel has worked for over 20 years to improve the quality of food for children and written 20 books on cooking for children. Many of her books have become best-sellers and her recipes are enjoyed by children and parents worldwide.
*Source: Infant and Toddler Forum – Independent group of experts in Infant and Toddler Food (see www.littlepeoplesplates.co.uk)
