Don't Be Fooled by Packaging Claims, Parents Need to Examine the Composition of Children's Nutrition Products
JAKARTA - Choosing nutritional products for children is not just comparing brands or seeing the big claims on the front of the package. Parents need to ensure that the product chosen is in accordance with the child's age needs, has a clear composition, and contains nutrients that support the growth and development process.
In addition, it is also important to pay attention to the main ingredients used, the content of added sugar, to nutritional value information so that the decisions made are truly based on comprehensive information.
Awareness to read product composition is becoming increasingly important in the midst of various choices of children's nutrition available in the market. Education regarding this was delivered by Prof. DR. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), Children's Specialist Doctor, Growth Consultant - Social Pediatrics.
According to him, parents should get used to checking the composition list before deciding to buy nutritional products for children.
Prof. Rini explained that the fulfillment of nutrition in children is not only determined by the amount of food intake, but also the quality and balance of nutrients consumed from an early age.
The first 1,000 days of life are a very important period because during this phase physical growth, brain development, and the formation of the immune system take place.
Therefore, children need energy intake, protein, essential fats, iron, zinc, vitamins, and minerals in balanced amounts. In addition to nutrition, proper stimulation also plays a major role in supporting optimal child growth and development.
One simple step that parents can take is to get used to reading the product composition list. From this information, parents can find out the main ingredients used, the additional ingredients contained in the product, as well as assess whether the product is suitable for the child's needs.
"Claims and additional content displayed on the packaging often only describe a small part of the entire product. Therefore, parents should not only focus on the information on the front of the packaging, but also read carefully and understand the main composition of the product," said Prof. Rini.
According to him, the selection of nutritional products also needs to consider the basic ingredients used, the origin of the ingredients, to the processing process. In milk-based products, for example, the list of ingredients can provide an overview of the type of milk ingredients used as the basis of the product and how information regarding the source of the ingredients and the production process is conveyed to consumers.
Information regarding the processing of materials to become final products and product characteristics, such as ease of dissolution when served, can also help parents understand the quality of the product more thoroughly. Thus, attention is not only focused on the promoted additional content, but also on the main ingredients and the manufacturing process.
Four things to check when reading product compositionIn order to make it easier to understand the child nutrition product label, there are several things that can be used as a reference when reading the list of composition.
1. Pay attention to the materials listed in the first order
The composition list is arranged based on the amount of ingredients used, so that the ingredients at the earliest position are generally the components with the most amount. This information can help parents recognize the main ingredients in the product. For milk-based products, for example, parents can see if milk is one of the main ingredients used.
2. Pay attention to the type of main ingredients and the origin of the ingredients
In addition to the order of composition, the type of basic material is also worth considering. If fresh milk is listed as the main ingredient, it indicates that the product uses fresh cow's milk as the basic ingredient of the formula. The material is then processed into the final product through a more concise processing stage so that the quality of its natural nutrients is maintained without undergoing repeated high heat exposure.
On the other hand, if the composition lists powdered milk, reconstituted milk, or recombinant milk, parents need to understand that the raw materials and production processes are different. Both reconstituted and recombinant milk generally come from powdered milk that is mixed back with water and other ingredients before undergoing further processing.
Several components of nutrients in milk, such as bioactive proteins, vitamins, and certain enzymes, are known to be quite sensitive to high heat exposure and repeated processing. Therefore, information on the main ingredients, ingredient sources, and processing processes becomes an aspect that should be considered when choosing children's nutritional products.
3. Recognize the various forms of added sugar
Parents are also encouraged to pay attention to the presence of added sugar in products. Added sugar is not always written with the same name, but can be sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup, or maltodextrin. These contents are different from lactose, which is a natural sugar in milk. However, the type of ingredients used, the position in the list of composition, and the frequency of consumption of the product still need to be considered.
Prof. Rini reminded that the consumption of added sugar at an early age needs to be controlled. In addition to potentially increasing the risk of overweight and obesity, the habit of consuming foods or drinks with a sweet taste continuously can also shape the child's preference for sweetness so that it is more difficult to accept foods with natural flavors such as vegetables and fruits.
4. Combine with reading nutritional value information
In addition to the list of composition, the table of nutritional value information should also not be ignored. Through the table, parents can find out the energy content, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals in each serving.
Reading both information simultaneously will provide a more complete picture of the quality of the selected product.
"The best nutrition for children still needs to be built through a variety of foods, a balanced diet, and the right eating environment," added Prof. Rini.