Mothers Want the Facts Concerning Early Life Nutrition and to Do What is Best for their Children and Families

When mothers are well-informed, they make better nutrition decisions for their children. Well-nourished young children are better prepared to perform in school and to reach their potential.

Today, food and beverage intended for infants and young children that comply with global, regional and/or local standards for composition, safety, quality and recommended nutrient levels are competing with general foods whose composition is unsuitable and inappropriate for young children. With the increasing demand for convenience complementary foods, mothers and caregivers may, in the absence of sufficient information, turn to general convenience foods that often have a poor nutrient profile, and are inappropriate for infants and young children.

Restricting marketing communication of commercial complementary foods, including on growing-up milks, may deprive mothers and caregivers of the necessary information to make appropriate nutrition decisions for their young children. It could also have the unintended consequence of mothers and caregivers providing nutritionally inadequate foods, depriving young children of their nutritional needs.