Food for infants and young children
Nutrition in early infancy and childhood is crucial in determining a child’s healthy development, and impacts health later in life.
SNE members are committed to provide the best products which
respond to the specific nutritional needs of infants and young children.
A healthy start in life
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, as it contains the perfect balance of nutrients, hormones and antibodies.
However, in some cases mothers are unable to, or choose not to breast feed.
For these infants, and for older infants and young children, SNE members are dedicated to ensuring an optimum start with the right products – and services.
Products designed to support infant and young child nutrition are manufactured under unique and strict controls designed to meet very high standards of safety and quality, and play a valuable role in helping to resolve nutritional inequalities across Europe.
66.5% of women in Europe are part of the workforce, still most of the infants in Europe are being breastfed at the beginning of their life.
These products are specifically designed to provide these vulnerable consumers with the right balance of nutrients to support the right start of lifetime of good health.
They provide parents with convenient and safe products to ensure their child gets the nutrients they need during this important developmental phase.
What we do
SNE members manufacture products that are carefully tailored to meet the very specific nutritional requirements
of infants and young children aged 0-36 months, based on science, meeting strict safety and quality standards.
SNE members’ commitment is built on three pillars:
Services
We do not stop at product development, our members also support mothers with carelines that offer help in times of need, as well as educational materials for healthcare professionals such as doctors and midwives.
Research
Our products are grounded in comprehensive research which is performed in close collaboration with external scientists, doctors and universities.
Safety
We have rigorous controls and procedures in place, with up to 600 tests for some products, to ensure that our products meet top quality standards.
Our Products
SNE members produce a range of products including Infant Formula, Follow-on Formula, Young Child Formula, and Baby food:
Infant formula
Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed. It is the only suitable alternative for babies in good health aged 0-6 months.
Baby foods
Baby foods (so-called processed cereal-based foods and other baby foods for infants and young children) help in the move from a liquid diet based on breast milk or infant formula, to one which includes solid foods in a wide range of tastes and textures. These foods are formulated specifically to limit the amount of salt, saturated fats and sugar, and ensure the correct amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals for this age group.
Follow-on formula
Follow-on formula has been developed to meet the nutritional needs of older infants (over 6 months) and contains added vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D and iron. Follow-on formula should only be used as part of a mixed weaning diet and not as a breast milk substitute before six months.
Young-child formula
Young-child formula (also known as ‘milk-based drinks for young children’, ‘toddler milks’ or ‘growing up milks’) are designed to meet the needs of young children aged 1-3 years as part of a mixed diet based on family foods. Like follow-on formula, they should not be used as a breast milk substitute before six months.
Commitment to the highest quality and safety standards
Our products are grounded in comprehensive research which is performed in close collaboration with external scientists, doctors and universities. SNE members invest a significant amount of resources in advancing nutritional science.
The composition, food safety and communication of products intended for infants and young children are strictly regulated at EU level, and additional restrictions beyond general food law already apply (contaminants levels, microbiological standards, etc.).
All products for infants and young children are produced under strict controls designed to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality.