Safety of children's food

Baby food refers to products intended for infants (under 1 year of age) and toddlers (1-3 years of age).

A whole range of legislation has been enacted to ensure the safety of baby food.
The purity of raw materials used in baby food is strictly regulated with regard to contaminants (e.g.
heavy metals, mould/phytotoxins, nitrate) and pesticide residues. The maximum values are
a fraction of what is allowed for raw materials in ordinary foods or
fresh products in supermarkets. All regular foods on sale are safe, but these special precautions are considered necessary when the food consumer is a small child whose weight and
vital functions are still developing.

The nutritional content of children's foods is regulated in terms of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to ensure that
products are balanced for children's meals. The additives that are permitted are very
limited in number. The addition of vitamins is also regulated.

Changes in the manufacturing process of baby food are also taken into account in the regulations. The formation of harmful substances, for example during heating, must be prevented by means of a controlled process.

Only packaging that does not transfer anything to the product and prevents external contamination is suitable for packaging (
).