
Health professionals are often asked questions about specific food products. We've provided the following information about the Golden Circle baby food range to answer the most commonly asked questions.
Or ring 1800 730 101 if you have questions about Golden Circle or our baby food products.
- Are there any preservatives in these products?
- What is the best before/use by date on these products?
- Do Golden Circle baby foods contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)?
- Is it possible to keep canned Golden Circle baby food in the fridge?
- Can the food be re-used after opening?
- Can I feed my baby directly from the can?
- Can the products be frozen?
- How often can I serve Golden Circle baby foods?
- Does Golden Circle add vitamins and minerals?
- What quality testing procedures does Golden Circle use?
- Do Golden Circle baby foods contain peanuts or traces of peanuts?
- When can I offer my baby a fruit drink?
Have additional questions? Click here to submit a question to our nutritionist.
Q. Are there any preservatives in these products?
A. No, because the packaging process involves cooking the product in the cans, the contents are protected from light and air. This process preserves the food for up to two (2) years. So there's no need for preservatives.
Q. What is the best before/use by date on these products?
A. It is recommended that these products be consumed within two years of manufacture for optimum taste. The Use By date is on the bottom of the can or on the lid of the glass jar.
Q. Do Golden Circle baby foods contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)?
A. NO. Golden Circle has obtained assurances from all our suppliers that their products do not contain any GMOs. New labelling laws require that GMO material be detailed on the packaging.
Q. Is it possible to keep canned Golden Circle baby food in the fridge?
A. Yes, but only if unopened. Once opened, it is recommended that you remove the contents from the can and place in a sealed container (plastic or glass). This is because an opened can may corrode. The food should be eaten within 48 hours.
Q. Can the food be re-used after opening?
A. Take the portion you require from the can or jar and place in a small feeding bowl. Refrigerate or freeze the remainder in a sealed container (glass or plastic). This can be kept refrigerated for up to 48 hours. However, if the baby's saliva has touched the food it is unsafe to reuse (as the baby's saliva contains bacteria as well as enzymes that will begin to break down the food). It is safe to refrigerate baby food before serving, if your baby prefers it chilled - as it has no effect on the nutritional quality.
Q. Can I feed my baby directly from the container?
A. Yes, provided you discard any uneaten portion. This isbecause the baby's saliva can break down the food and you risk contamination. It's best to put the required quantity from the container into a serving dish or jar.
Q. Can the products be frozen?
A. Yes. Golden Circle baby food can be frozen provided it has not contacted the baby's saliva. Freeze in a jar, ice cube trays or a suitable container and thaw in the refrigerator or place in warm water. The texture may be different but this does not affect the taste or nutritional quality. It is not recommended to freeze custard products.
Q. How often can I serve Golden Circle baby foods?
A. No set rules apply to how many commercial meals a baby should have each day. The quality and variety of Golden Circle's products mean they can play a valuable role in contributing important nutrients to your baby's diet. Ensure your baby experiences a wide range of textures and tastes. Finger foods after about six months (when they are able to hold them) will encourage self-feeding.
Click here for more information on our research results on the nutritional composition of our baby foods.
Q. Does Golden Circle add vitamins and minerals?
A. We add Vitamin C to our fruit products to ensure they meet your child's nutritional needs. Our products are high in nutrition because they are packed at peak freshness. Vitamin levels are maximised because the cans are sealed from light and air.
Q. What quality testing procedures does Golden Circle use?
A. All Golden Circle products are tested to ensure their safety. Our production facility for baby food is one of the most advanced in the world, with state-of-the-art x-ray scanners and weighing facilities. Every batch of food is tested during manufacture by our highly skilled Quality Assurance team. In addition, all baby food is held for a minimum two weeks after manufacture and retested as a final safety measure.
Q. Do Golden Circle baby foods contain peanuts or traces of peanuts?
A. No. The majority of our ingredients do not present any allergy risk and we test all products that could potentially have traces of peanuts (for example, oatmeal) before manufacture.
Click here for more information on food allergy and intolerance.
Q. When can I offer my baby a fruit drink?
A. It is not recommended to give babies full strength fruit juice. Golden Circle's Junior Fruit Drinks are made with 70% purified, filtered water and real fruit juice. This product can be given to babies in moderate quantities from six months. Fruit juice should not be given to your infant in a baby bottle. It is recommended that you limit diluted juices to no more than 120mL per day while your child is under 12 months.