With respect to the report that the OCU elaborated on the growth milks in which they explained that they were not necessary for children, from Puleva they want to give us their point of view, something that in Babies and More we share with you all.
Puleva position
Puleva disagrees with the conclusions of the OCU study on growing milk, in which he states that they are not necessary. The company, in addition to reiterating the reasons for giving growing milk to children aged 1 to 3 years, advises consumers to inform themselves through different sources of information with a recognized scientific endorsement (European Food Safety Authority, pediatricians ...), before considering any change in their consumption habits.
These are the 5 reasons:
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states that young children (1 to 3 years old) have specific nutritional needs, such as those under 1 year old.
An EFSA study shows that European children have deficiencies in their diet of:
DHA, fatty acid present in breast milk that is part of the cells of the brain and the retina, and that helps visual and cognitive development Iron, mineral that favors the cognitive and immune development Vitamin D, fundamental for calcium absorption and Bone development, among many other iodine functions, important mineral for cognitive function and nervous system development.
These nutritional needs could be met through a balanced diet, with adequate consumption of foods such as blue fish (main source of DHA and iodine in the diet), red meat and legumes (main sources of iron) or egg (source of vitamin D), among others.
However, a significant number of preschoolers receive an unbalanced diet, so the incorporation of growth milks in their diet is very useful, since they allow to meet nutritional needs more specifically than cow's milk. Growing milk in children aged 1 to 3 years, especially those enriched with DHA and Iron, ensures:
A lower risk of renal overload, due to its lower protein content (compared to cow's milk) An adequate intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids with a lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, which may possibly contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood An adequate contribution of DHA, beneficial for the development of visual and cognitive functions. An adequate intake of iron, a fundamental nutrient for certain body functions
Milk is a food for daily consumption, easily accessible, so it becomes a good alternative to meet these nutritional needs.
Bibliography consulted
EFSA, NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies). 2013. Scientific Opinion on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children in the European Union. EFSA Journal 2013; 11 (10): 3408, 103
Dalmau Serra, J .; Moreno Villares, J. M. Growth milk in infant feeding. Acta Pediatr Esp. 2011; 69
Gil M, Dalmau J; Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics. Importance of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): functions and recommendations for its intake in childhood. An Pediatr (Barc). 2010; 73: 142.e1-142.e8.
Morais A, Dalmau J; Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics. Importance of iron deficiency in the young child: repercussions and prevention. An Pediatr (Barc). 2011; 74: 415.e1-415.e10.
Maldonado J, Baro L, Ramirez Tortosa MC, Gil F, Linde J, Lopez Huertas E, et al. Intake of a dairy formula supplemented with iron as a preventive measure of iron deficiency in children aged 1 to 3 years. An Pediatr (Barc). 2007; 66: 591-596.
Carter RC, Jacobson JL, Burden MJ, Armony-Sivan R, Dodge NC, Angelilli ML, et al. Iron deficiency anemia and cognitive function in infancy. Pediatrics 2010; 126: e427-434.
Wurtman RJ. Synapse formation and cognitive brain development: effect of docosahexaenoic acid and other dietary constituents. Metabolism 2008; 57 Suppl 2: 6-10.
