Parental Concern Drives Market
Manufactures are heeding children's health issues and providing alternative products that are both nutritious and chemical-free.
The organic food category reached $623 million in value last year, with most major retailers now carrying more than 500 organic lines (Australian Organic Market Report 2008, Biological Farmers of Australia, supplied by Nourish Foods).
Recent statistics from the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) organization show that some overseas organic food markets are now very developed, with German retailers showing that 90 per cent of baby food sold is organic. Australia is set to follow these strong trends, according to the ACO.
Growth in organic baby food is being driven by concerned parents seeking natural food alternatives for their children, according to Whole Kids Co-founder, Monica Waters.
"Our products are popular because busy mums are looking for convenient and healthy snacks for their children, that are nutrient-rich and free from additives and preservatives. Our range was actually developed in response to please from concerned parents for more natural food alternatives," Ms Waters said.
Whole Kids will add new additions to the range later this year, after winning the award for Best New Snack Food for Whole Kids Organic Sea Salt Popcorn at the 2007 Australian Food Challenge awards.
Yum Mum director, Amanda Murphy, agrees mothers are purchasing organic products because they are becoming increasingly concerned about what their children consume.
"There is also a growing consumer need for nutritional panels to clearly detail what is in a product, so parents can make and informed decision when purchasing products for their child," Ms Murphy said.
Yum Mum is a new organic baby food which is packaged in a convenient ouch, so it is ready to heat and serve and its products include Pumpkin & Tomato Risotto, Tuscan Bolognese, Veggie Macaroni and Middle Eastern Lam Pilaff.
Organix has also just released two new innovative products into the organic market, with the release of its new Crunchy Carrot Stick and Sweetcorn Rings suitable for children from seven months old.
Organix will also soon release some of its popular UK products into the Australian market, including its Savoury Pots; Baby Biscuits; Banana and Date Fruit Bars; and Date and Apple Fruit Bars.
Best Intentions is now the sole distributor of the Organix and Goodies range in Australia and originated after company owner Fiona Henshaw, mobbed to Australia with her young children, but was unable to find any convenient and healthy food options,
After speaking with other mothers she found the shortage of healthy baby food was a major problem and wanted to do something about it.
Best Intentions is currently running its Dirty Dozen campaign, which aims to raise parent's awareness on the types of additives and preservatives to avoid in children's food.
The company has produced a wallet-size Dirty Dozen card that lists the 12 most common artificial additives that gave raised concerns.
Company owner, Fiona Henshaw, said: "We know nothing at all about the long-term impact of additives, let alone the combined impact of the cocktail of additives that children are now exposed to. There is evidence that colourings, flavourings, sweeteners and preservatives have been linked to hyperactivity, asthma, obesity, and to more serious conditions like cancer, nerve cell damage, and damage to embryos".
By Christine Bannister
Retail World
Vol 61 No 16
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School Lunches Made From Scratch - Healthy & Vegetarian
The menu was a little adventurous for the average 6-year-old,but Mercedes enjoyed spoonfulls of black bean enchilada , scraping her plate clean. She also ate the carrot sticks on the side and polished off a spice cookie for dessert..
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Feeding Baby the Organic Way
Sadie Enright used her organic know-how to create an organic baby food company called First Foods, as she wanted to feed her baby fresh foods, and organic baby food is easier in infants' digestive system...
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The Effects of Foods on Children's Behaviour
Use of additives in food has continued to increase and spread to 'healthy' goods such as bread, butter, yoghurt, juice and muesli bars as well as junk food. At the same time, childrens behaviour and learning problems increased...
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Mediterranean Diet Reduces Asthma Risk
Studies have shown that following a diet high in healthy fats such as olive oil can reduce the risk of asthma in kids...
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Give Kids a Diet Head Start
Teaching children about good food is just as important to their education as reading, writing and maths...