Brands Tested
Proprietary foods are not standardised under FSS Regulations. Since both the brands are consumed by infants, we included them in our study.
Unit Price
Considering the unit price per 100 grams, Dexolac is the cheapest brand and PediaSure is the costliest, followed by Ensure and Similac.
The Report
Packaging
The complementary food should be packed in a clean, hermetically sealed metal container (IS 11078) or in a flexible pack o a to protect the from deterioration. In case plastic material is used for flexible packing, only food-grade plastic shall be used (IS 10171). The product has to be packed in nitrogen or a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The product shall be packed in qualities as stipulated under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules.
Marking
The following details are necessary on each package:
- Name of the material and trademark, if any
- Name and address of manufacturer
- Batch or code number
- Net weight in grams
- Date of manufacture
- List of ingredients
- Nutritional Claims
- Permitted additives
- Maximum retail price (MRP)
- Use before/ Expiry date
- Statutory declaration
- ISI marked and 'green dot' marking for vegetarian status
- Feed chart and direction for use and storage
Except Ensure and PediaSure, all brands had the necessary ISI marking. However, several of their claims turned out to be different from the tested results. Some of these findings are discussed here.
Total Fat
The brand were tested to see how much the fat (in grams) was per 100 grams. As per Indian Standard and FSSAI, the fat should mandatorily be a minimum 18% and a maximum of 27% by mass.
Total milk protein
As per Indian Standard and FSSAI, the protein should be a minimum 13.5% and a maximum 24.75% by mass.
Energy Value
When prepared with the instructions for use, 100 ml of the ready-for-consumption product should provide not less than 60 kilo calories and not more than 85 kilo calories.
Carbohydrates
As per Indian Standard, the product shall contain nutritionally available carbohydrates suitable for the feeding of the older infant and young child in such quantities as to adjust the product to the energy density.
Calcium
It is the value of calcium content per 100 grams of baby milk powder.
Zinc
It the amount of zinc per 100 grams of baby milk powder
Iron
It the amount of Iron per 100 grams of baby milk powder.
Choline
Choline is a nutrient that supports various bodily functions, including cellular growth and metabolism. It is a nutrient that supports the development of baby's brain and neural tube. Babies get this nutrient from their mothers when they are in womb.
Whey Casein Ratio
This the ratio of whey protien to the casein protein.The whey/casein ratio in human milk fluctuates between 70/30 and 80/20 in early lactation and decreases to 50/50 in late lactation. Whey protein is easier to digest than casein protein. The more the whey protein the easier is the milk to digest.