There are varied concerns when we mommies buy food products for our babies and kids. Among the top consideration is the price or cost of the product for parents who have limited or constraint budget. Admittedly, I used to be guilty about this. When I gave birth to my first son, our tendency was to give him the best – expensive milk, popular vitamin supplements, pricey cereals… When he started schooling though, expenses shoot up and so, there was a need to tighten the budget. 

We began considering inexpensive medicines and milk brands; we also tried low-priced fruit juices and other food products for his school snacks. Our belief, these products are all the same, they only compete in terms of marketing and packaging. We were wrong. Thanks to a television commercial which promoted the importance of ‘reading the nutrition labels’ of food, beverage, and drugs. It opened my eyes about smartly reading the nutrition facts written on food and other product brands for children before deciding to buy them.

The food and drugs authority of any country mandate that companies manufacturing foodstuff and medicines put the nutrition facts food labels on the packaging of their products. Usually, these labels can be found at the back, side or bottom part of the wrapping.  The labels contain information such as the serving information, the types and amount of vitamins and minerals enclosed, and other chemicals used in the formulation.

If adults who are into healthy lifestyle avoid products with high calories, fat and carbohydrates contents like a plague, here are some of the chemical ingredients mommies should try to avoid (or give thoughtful consideration) when buying juice and liquid products for children: 

• Artificial flavoring. While manufacturers tend to boast that their products came from a natural source, it may lose its natural flavoring in the process so they use (or add) artificial ones to retain the taste. Read the label to find out about this, it would be best to buy ones with labels ‘100% All Natural’ and ‘No Preservatives.’
• Sunset Yellow FCF also known as Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6 or C.I. 15985. This chemical sure keeps a lot of namesakes, an advantage for manufacturers to confuse consumers. This is added to food to induce color change (like dyes and food coloring) but it may incite allergic reaction and was linked to causing hyperactivity in children. It was long banned for use in many countries long time ago.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup. Since this sweetener is sweet, it is preferred by manufacturers for low-cost production. Sad thing is it was found to have mercury contamination.
• Potassium Benzoate. The potassium salt of benzoic acid is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria. Fruit juices and other acidic food and beverages may be preserved with potassium benzoate and most countries in the Canada, US and European countries approved its use. However, in Europe, food with this content is not recommended for children.
• Aspartame. It is an artificial sweetener which approval for use in US became a source of controversy. It is linked to obesity in children and other alleged disorders such as birth defects, cancer, diabetes, among others.
• Sodium Benzoate or E112. This chemical is often used as a softdrink preservative and was said to cause damage and inactivate vital parts of a person’s DNA. Some illnesses related to the aging process such Parkinson’s, are said to be related to DNA damage.

Children’s consumption are different from that of adults, they are more prone to allergic reactions and their young bodies may not stand the harmful effects of chemicals and additives found in food and drug products. It’s up to us parents to protect them from such by being ‘smart moms who knows what’s best.’

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