If the food is recommended for infants between 4-6 months of age, the warning statement – Not recommended for infants under the age of 4 months is also required on the label. A statement regarding the consistency of the food is also required. Other requirements in the Standard that relate to the age labelling include compositional requirements for iron; vitamins and minerals in cereal-based food for infants; protein levels; and making claims about the vitamin and mineral content of infant food. 3. Consideration of issues To determine the most appropriate requirements in relation to the youngest minimum age permitted on infant food labels, and strategies to manage any potential risks, the following points have been considered, and are discussed below: the current New Zealand (2008) and Australian (2013) infant feeding guidelines international recommendations, regulations or guidelines previous stakeholder submissions (also see SD3) updated risk assessment (2008) (also see SD1) Ministerial policy guidance on Part 2.9 of the Code consumer research on the use and understanding of food labels approach to labelling requirements options for amending the Code impacts on stakeholders and the net benefit to the community transitional arrangements any consequential effects of the proposed approach. 3.1 Current infant feeding recommendations 3.1.1 Australia The revised 2013 Australian Guidelines recommend the introduction of solid food to infants at 6 months’ of age, but before 7 months. This continues the previous 2003 ‘around recommendations and also continues to align with the 2008 New Zealand Guidelines. In addition, it is recommended that: Infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk to 6 months’ of age, with ‘around breastfeeding continued up to 2 years or beyond. When the infant is ready, appropriate complementary food should be introduced, with continued breastfeeding. Developmental cues should be used to determine if the infant is ready for solids. The infant will most likely be ready at around 6 months of age but some infants may be ready sooner. However, infants should not be given complementary foods before 4 months of age. The Guidelines also note that although exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months of age is recommended, more experience is needed to identify any subgroups that require earlier introduction of solids (but before 4 months). Six months should be regarded as a group recommendation. 3.1.2 New Zealand The 2008 New Zealand Guidelines revised the recommended age for the introduction of complementary foods to 6 months’ of age. Previously, they had recommended ‘around
If the food is recommended for infants between 4-6 months of age, the warning statement – Not recommended for infants under the age of 4 months is also required on the label. A statement regarding the consistency of the food is also required. Other requirements in the Standard that relate to the age labelling include compositional requirements for iron; vitamins and minerals in cereal-based food for infants; protein levels; and making claims about the vitamin and mineral content of infant food. 3. Consideration of issues To determine the most appropriate requirements in relation to the youngest minimum age permitted on infant food labels, and strategies to manage any potential risks, the following points have been considered, and are discussed below: the current New Zealand (2008) and Australian (2013) infant feeding guidelines international recommendations, regulations or guidelines previous stakeholder submissions (also see SD3) updated risk assessment (2008) (also see SD1) Ministerial policy guidance on Part 2.9 of the Code consumer research on the use and understanding of food labels approach to labelling requirements options for amending the Code impacts on stakeholders and the net benefit to the community transitional arrangements any consequential effects of the proposed approach. 3.1 Current infant feeding recommendations 3.1.1 Australia The revised 2013 Australian Guidelines recommend the introduction of solid food to infants at ‘around 6 months’ of age, but before 7 months. This continues the previous 2003 recommendations and also continues to align with the 2008 New Zealand Guidelines. In addition, it is recommended that: Infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk to ‘around 6 months’ of age, with breastfeeding continued up to 2 years or beyond. When the infant is ready, appropriate complementary food should be introduced, with continued breastfeeding. Developmental cues should be used to determine if the infant is ready for solids. The infant will most likely be ready at around 6 months of age but some infants may be ready sooner. However, infants should not be given complementary foods before 4 months of age. The Guidelines also note that although exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months of age is recommended, more experience is needed to identify any subgroups that require earlier introduction of solids (but before 4 months). Six months should be regarded as a group recommendation. 3.1.2 New Zealand The 2008 New Zealand Guidelines revised the recommended age for the introduction of complementary foods to ‘around 6 months’ of age. Previously, they had recommended
P274-SD2-RiskMment.docx