Introduction
One of the most frequently asked questions from parents and care givers regarding commercially made infant foods concerns its nutritional content and specifically, how it compares to home-made baby food.
In order to address this issue Golden Circle, with independent advice and input from Nutrition Australia, commissioned the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) to analyse home-made equivalents to Golden Circle products. We then compared the results – which we are pleased to say were extremely favourable.
Products and Methodology
The products selected for comparison were deemed as indicative for the range and included products (both canned and in glass jars) from the All Ages (from 4, 6 and 9 months), From 4 Months, From 6 Months and From 9 Months categories.
The products included:
Apple, 120g canned, from 4 month range
Pumpkin and Sweetcorn, 120g canned, from 4 months range
Pear and Banana, 110g glass, from 4 months
Peas, Potato and Broccoli, 110g glass, from 4 months
Chicken and Vegetables, 120g canned, from 6 months
Beef and Vegetables, 120g canned, from 6 months range
Alpha Bolognaise, 170g glass, from 9 months range
Banana Custard, 110g glass, All Ages (4, 6 and 9 months)
Vanilla Custard, 120g canned, All Ages (4, 6 and 9 months)
The home-made product equivalents were prepared by a representative of Nutrition Australia in the Melbourne facility of the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories.
Home-made recipes were designed to produce 1000g of equivalent product using, where possible, ingredients that matched those used in the manufacture of the Golden Circle range. For example, the Golden Circle Apple product is a blend of Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples. The potato in the Peas, Potato and Broccoli product is the Sebago variant. If these variants were available they were used to prepare the home-made version.
The Analysis
The current nutrition information panels were used as the starting point for the Golden Circle products, which were then supplemented by the AGAL analysis for a number of important micro-nutrients not normally required on these panels.
The additional nutrients included niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin A. Please note that not all these additional nutrients were analysed in every case but were included where appropriate.
For example, calcium was included in the list of additional nutrients in the dairy-based products such as Banana Custard, but iron was not measured in such products. This accounted for Banana Custard, while having calcium, not containing iron. Similarly, iron (along with the additional nutrients) was measured in meat-based products such as Beef and Vegetables but not in the Apple product.
Please note that where a nutrient was not measured, the table beside that nutrient has been left blank.
The home-made products were analysed by AGAL for the major macro-nutrients (energy, protein, fat and total carbohydrate) and other nutrients such as sodium and potassium included as standard on nutrition information panels. In addition, micro-nutrients deemed to be relevant (as per the nutrients listed above) were also measured.
Nutrition Data
The data generated by the analysis has been constructed to fit the standard Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) format as dictated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
In terms of the vitamins and minerals, these are expressed as a percentage of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) per serve of the product. The RDI represents the amount of a nutrient research shows to be desirable for good health. Please note also that all the vitamins are listed for the sake of this analysis, which is a deviation from the established FSANZ protocol of only listing vitamins present at a level of 10% (or more) of the RDI per serve.
It is also important to note that all Golden Circle products, including those used in this comparison, satisfy the levels of nutrients established by FSANZ for infant foods. For example, sodium levels are well within the limits determined for infants. The sodium level for the products involved in this comparison do not exceed 60% of the maximum level permitted for sodium.
Results
The Golden Circle products included in this trial compare extremely well with the home-made version and only minor differences (which are to be expected in an analysis of this type) were observed between the products.
While every effort was made to match the ingredients, inherent nutritional differences are to be expected because of the natural variation that exists from one crop to another and/or varietal differences with the products used to make the home-made foods.
In addition, any differences between the products need to be considered in the context of the infant’s total diet, which would not only include breast milk (or an appropriate formula) but also solids prepared in the home.
What about the nutritional differences between the two products – should I be concerned?
In short, no. As mentioned, given there are inherent differences in the ingredients it is normal to see some variation in the nutrient levels. Furthermore, these individual product differences are nutritionally negligible when the total diet of the infant is considered.
Lets look at an example:
| Beef and Vegetables 120g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 260 | 224 |
| Protein (g) | 4.7 | 3.4 |
| Fat (g) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 8.5 | 7.2 |
| Sodium (mg) | 36 | 60 |
| Potassium (mg) | 180 | 145 |
| Thiamin (mg) | .04 (9.5%)* | .02 (6.9%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | .05 (6.9%)* | .07 (14 %)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 1.0 (27.8%)* | 1.4 (56 %)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | 0.8 (0.2%)* | 0.8 (0.3%)* |
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | 0.78 (7.2%)* | 0.49 (6.5%)* |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.94 (25.1%)* | 0.72 (19.2%)* |
| Magnesium (mg) | 12 (24%)* | 11 (22 %)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 61 (24.4%)* | 50 (20%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
What are some of the nutrient differences and what do they mean?
Energy: Home-made has 260 kJ and the Golden Circle product has 224 kJ. There is no specific RDI (recommended dietary intake) for energy. The best way to determine if an infant is receiving enough energy is by assessing growth. If they are growing well then energy is not a problem. The 34 kilojoule difference is nutritionally negligible in a total diet of thousands of kilojoules.
Protein: Infants need protein for normal growth and development and in this regard breast milk intake throughout the first year of life is critical. The intake of protein from solids complements that from breast milk and as such both the home-made and Golden Circle products make a contribution. The difference between them (1.3g) is nutritionally insignificant when breast milk and other protein-containing foods are considered. Protein adequacy for the infant is largely determined by adequate growth as compared to standardised growth charts – good growth is a positive indicator for good protein intake.
Potassium: Important for cell, nerve and muscle function. The potassium difference between the two products (45mg) becomes insignificant when the potassium content of breast milk (15 mmol/l) and that potassium is found in a wide range of plant foods is considered.
Niacin: The home-made product (27.8% of RDI) appears to provide much less niacin than the Golden Circle product (56% of RDI). However, be mindful that breast milk also contains 2.2 mg of niacin equivalents per 1000 kilojoules and will therefore make a contribution to total niacin intake. Plus there is a liberal safety margin factored into the RDI.
Zinc: The zinc from breast milk (which should be continued for the first year of life) is well absorbed but from the age of six months, other sources of dietary zinc become important.For this reason, foods containing zinc, such as meat, are recommended in the infant’s diet. Both the home-made and canned products provide a worthwhile source of zinc and the difference between them 25.1% (home-made) v 19.2% (Golden Circle) of the RDI is negligible in terms of the total diet.
Magnesium: The difference between the two products (24% home-made v 22.0% Golden Circle) is negligible – particularly when the intake of magnesium from breast milk is also considered. Both are good contributors of this mineral, which is important for muscle contraction and nerve transmission.
Any nutrient differences relate to natural variations in the raw ingredients and/or varietal differences in the ingredients. When considered in the context of the total infant diet, which should also include breast milk (or a suitable formula) as well as other complementary foods, these differences become nutritionally insignificant.
Both the home-made and Golden Circle Beef and Vegetable products supply good nutrition for the infant with significant nutritional similarities. In addition, sodium levels whilst different in absolute terms, are well within the standards established for infant foods.
Lets look at another example:
| Alpha Bolognaise 170g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 300 | 264 |
| Protein (g) | 4.1 | 3.4 |
| Fat (g) | 1.4 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 10.6 | 9.7 |
| Sodium (mg) | 56 | 50 |
| Potassium (mg) | 130 | 95 |
| Thiamin (mg) | .02 (9.7%)* | .01 (4.9%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | .03 (8.5%)* | .04 (11.3%)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 1.2 (68%)* | 1.0 (56.7%)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | 2.1 (1.2%)* | 1.6 (0.9%) |
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | ||
| Zinc (mg) | 0.68 (25.7%)* | 0.47 (17.8%)* |
| Magnesium (mg) | 11 (31.2%)* | 8.3 (23.5%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 53 (30%)* | 38 (21.5%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: from 9 months
What are some of the nutrient differences and what do they mean?
Energy: The most critical determinant for energy status of the infant is growth and so the main consideration is that the child is tracking well on the growth charts. A difference of some 36 kilojoules is quite acceptable when a total diet of thousands of kilojoules is taken into account.
Protein: The small difference observed between the home-made and Golden Circle products (4.1 v 3.4) is acceptable when the contribution of breast milk and other foods introduced to the infant, such as iron-rich cereals, are considered. As in the case of energy, protein adequacy for the infant is largely determined by adequate growth as compared to standardised growth charts – good growth is a positive indicator for good protein intake.
Potassium: Important for cell, nerve and muscle function. The potassium difference between the two products (35mg) becomes less significant when the content of breast milk (15 mmol/l) and that potassium is found in a wide range of plant foods is considered.
Niacin: The home-made product (68% of RDI) and the Golden Circle product (56.7% of RDI) both make a good contribution to niacin intake. In regard to the difference between them, it needs to be kept in mind that breast milk also contains 2.2 mg of niacin equivalents per 1000 kilojoules and will therefore make a contribution to total niacin intake. Plus there is a liberal safety margin factored into the RDI.
Zinc: The zinc from breast milk (which is best continued for the first year of life) is well absorbed but from the age of six months, other sources of dietary zinc become important. For this reason, foods containing zinc, such as meat, are recommended in the infant’s diet. Both the home-made and Golden Circle products provide a worthwhile source of zinc and the difference between them 25.1% (home-made) v 17.8% (Golden Circle) of the RDI is negligible in terms of the total diet.
As with the Beef and Vegetables product comparison, any nutrient differences in Alpha Bolognaise relate to natural variations in the raw ingredients and/or varietal differences in the ingredients. When considered in the context of the total infant diet, which should also include breast milk (or a suitable formula) as well as other complementary foods, these differences become nutritionally insignificant.
Both the home-made and Golden Circle Alpha Bolognaise products supply good nutrition for the infant with significant nutritional similarities. In addition, sodium levels for both products, whilst different in absolute terms, are well within the standards set for infant food.
Comparisons of the Remaining Products
For the remaining product comparisons, we have provided an analysis along with a brief summary of the nutritional differences and benefits below.
| Banana Custard 110g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 290 | 287 |
| Protein (g) | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| Fat (g) | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 13 | 12.8 |
| Sodium (mg) | 15 | 40 |
| Potassium (mg) | 72 | 100 |
| Thiamin (mg) | ||
| Riboflavin (mg) | .11 (20.2%)* | .12 (22%)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.1 (3.7%)* | 0.1 (3.7%)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | ||
| Calcium (mg) | 54 (10.8%)* | 50 (10%)* |
| Iron (mg) | ||
| Zinc (mg) | ||
| Magnesium (mg) | 6.1 (11.2%)* | 5.8 (10.6%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 52 (19.1%)* | 50 (18.3%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: All Ages
Commentary for Banana Custard
It is clear that the nutritional profiles of both the home-made and Golden Circle Banana Custard are very similar in all respects, providing infants with carbohydrate energy, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Calcium, so important for growing teeth and bones, is contributed by both the home-made and Golden Circle products. Calcium from breast milk is also well absorbed by the infant. Sodium levels for both products, whilst different in absolute terms, are well within the standards set for infant food.
| Apple 120g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 230 | 244 |
| Protein (g) | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Fat (g) | 0.05 | 0.1 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 13.0 | 12.9 |
| Sodium (mg) | 1.5 | 15 |
| Potassium (mg) | 95 | 110 |
| Thiamin (mg) | - | .01 (3.4%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | ||
| Niacin (mg) | ||
| Vitamin A (ug) | ||
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | ||
| Zinc (mg) | ||
| Magnesium (mg) | ||
| Phosphorus (mg) | ||
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: From 4 months
Commentary for Apple
The home-made and Golden Circle apple products are essentially equivalent from a nutritional perspective with both providing carbohydrate energy. Nutrient differences are insignificant. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
| Chicken and Vegetables 120g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 250 | 221 |
| Protein (g) | 2.5 | 3 |
| Fat (g) | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Sodium (mg) | 14 | 60 |
| Potassium (mg) | 86 | 105 |
| Thiamin (mg) | .04 (13.7%)* | .01 (3.4%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0.14 (28%)* | 0.12 (24%)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 1.2 (48%)* | 1.1 (44%)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | 1.6 (0.6 %)* | .8 (0.3%)* |
| Calcium (mg) | - | - |
| Iron (mg) | - | 0.24(3.2%)* |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.5 (13.3%)* | 0.37 (9.9%)* |
| Magnesium (mg) | 11 (22%)* | 9.3 (18.6%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 48 (19.2%)* | 46 (18.4%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: From 6 months
Commentary for Chicken & Vegetables
The Chicken & Vegetable products – both home-made and Golden Circle – certainly supply a good mix of important nutrients and as such meet the need for nutrient dense foods. Any variations are likely to be due to individual differences in the ingredients used. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
| Pear and Banana 110 g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 250 | 288 |
| Protein (g) | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Fat (g) | 0.05 | 0.1 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 14.4 | 15.3 |
| Sodium (mg) | 1.3 | 15 |
| Potassium (mg) | 140 | 130 |
| Thiamin (mg) | - | .01 (3.1%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | ||
| Niacin (mg) | ||
| Vitamin A (ug) | ||
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | - | 0.2 (6.7%)* |
| Zinc (mg) | ||
| Magnesium (mg) | 9.1 (15.2%)* | 11 (18.3%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | ||
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: From 4 months
Commentary for Pear and Banana
Home-made and Golden Circle Pear and Banana provide a very similar nutrient profile with carbohydrate, energy and potassium particular strengths. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
The nutrient differences are minor when considered in the context of the total diet of the infant and the nutritional contribution made by breast milk and other complementary foods.
| Peas, Potato and Broccoli 110g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 240 | 222 |
| Protein (g) | 3.1 | 2.6 |
| Fat (g) | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 10.5 | 9.2 |
| Sodium (mg) | 2.4 | 20 |
| Potassium (mg) | 200 | 175 |
| Thiamin (mg) | 0.1 (31.4%)* | .04 (12.6%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0.03 (5.5%)* | 0.04 (7.3%)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.91 (33.4%)* | 1.1 (40.3%)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | 0.7 (0.3%)* | 0.8 (0.3%)* |
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | 0.82 (30.1%)* | 0.82 (30.1%)* |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.47 (11.5%)* | 0.47 (11.5%)* |
| Magnesium (mg) | 17 (31.2%)* | 14 (25.7%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 56 (20.5%)* | 47 (17.2%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: From 4 months
Commentary for Peas, Potato and Broccoli
The Peas, Potato and Broccoli product, home-made or Golden Circle, is nutrient rich and supplies important minerals in the form of iron, zinc and magnesium along with the vitamin niacin. Thiamin, present in both products, is higher in the home-made but the fact that it can also be found in breast milk and cereals makes this difference nutritionally acceptable. The key macro-nutrients are also supplied in similar quantities. Again, minor variations are likely to be due to varietal differences for the ingredients used in each product. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
| Pumpkin and Sweetcorn 120g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 160 | 162 |
| Protein (g) | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Fat (g) | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 7.6 | 6.7 |
| Sodium (mg) | - | 10 |
| Potassium (mg) | 330 | 240 |
| Thiamin (mg) | 0.1 (34.3%)* | .05 (17.1%)* |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0.04 (8 %)* | 0.04 (8 %)* |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.7 (28 %)* | 1.0 (40 %)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | 1.3 (0.5%)* | 0.7 (0.3%)* |
| Calcium (mg) | ||
| Iron (mg) | 0.27 (10.8%)* | 0.42 (16.8%)* |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.18 (4.8%)* | 0.27 (7.2%)* |
| Magnesium (mg) | 8.9 (17.8%)* | 12 (24%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 40 (16 %)* | 37 (14.8%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: From 4 months
Commentary for Pumpkin and Sweetcorn
Both home-made and Golden Circle products provide the infant with a healthy mix of important nutrients and minerals. The macro-nutrients of energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate are essentially the same in both the home-made and Golden Circle Pumpkin and Sweetcorn products. Any minor variations in nutrient levels are likely to be related to varietal differences in the ingredients and are insignificant when the total diet is considered. Thiamin, present in both products, is higher in the home-made but the fact that it can also be found in breast-milk and cereals makes this difference nutritionally acceptable. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
| Vanilla Custard 120g | ||
| Home-Made (per 100g) | Golden Circle (per 100g) | |
| Energy (kJ) | 290 | 280 |
| Protein (g) | 2.0 | 1.8 |
| Fat (g) | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Carbohydrate – Total (g) | 12.6 | 12.7 |
| Sodium (mg) | 15 | 40 |
| Potassium (mg) | 70 | 90 |
| Thiamin (mg) | ||
| Riboflavin (mg) | .09 (18%)* | .13 (26%)* |
| Niacin (mg) | .1 (4.0%)* | .1 (4.0%)* |
| Vitamin A (ug) | ||
| Calcium (mg) | 50 (10.9%)* | 54 (11.8%)* |
| Iron (mg) | ||
| Zinc (mg) | ||
| Magnesium (mg) | 5.7 (11.4%)* | 6.0 (12%)* |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 48 (19.2%)* | 51 (20.4%)* |
* Percent Recommended Dietary Intake/120g serve
Product Stage: All Ages
Commentary for Vanilla Custard
The important macro-nutrients of energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate are essentially the same in both the Golden Circle and home-made Vanilla Custard products. The vitamin riboflavin and minerals including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are also present at similar levels in both versions of the product. Sodium, whilst different in absolute terms between the two products, is well within the standards established for infant foods.
Conclusions
Without doubt both the home-made and Golden Circle products provide infants with good nutrition and certainly satisfy the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) requirement for complementary foods to be nutrient dense.
The Golden Circle infant foods used in this nutritional trial compare extremely well to the home- made equivalent product.
Health professionals and consumers can feel confident that including Golden Circle baby food as part of the infant’s total diet, which should include a wide variety of foods, will be providing good nutrition.
Any differences between the products need to be considered in the context of the infant’s total diet, which not only should include breast milk or formula but an increasing number of appropriately prepared family foods.
The convenience and variety of nutrients and textures in the comprehensive Golden Circle range of baby foods provide a good option for the busy parent who can be assured of their nutritional value should they wish to use them.
