(P07-038-23) Iron and Zinc Content of Commercial Infant and Toddler Foods Containing Animal-Source Proteins

Objectives: Iron and zinc are nutrients of concern during infancy, particularly for breastfed (BF) infants at the beginning of complementary feeding (CF) from 6-12 months. The objective of this study, which was part of the 1^st Foods Study, was to examine the extent to which commercially-available infant and toddler foods (ITFs) sold in the US meet nutrient requirements.

Methods: Company websites (n=26) were used to create a database of commercial ITFs (n=170) that were available for purchase in the US and contained at least one type of meat in the product name (i.e., red meat, poultry, pork, or seafood). For each product, intended age, serving size (g), iron (mg) per serving, and zinc (mg) per serving were recorded from the Nutrition Facts panels. Single ingredient products and ready-to-serve meals (for age < 9 months) and ready-to-serve meals (for age 10+ months) were categorized as infant and toddler products, respectively, based on the FDA’s reference amount customarily consumed per eating occasion (RACC). Iron and zinc per 100 g were calculated for each product and medians were calculated and compared (1) for infant and toddler products and (2) according to meat type.

Results: In general, toddler products contained greater amounts of iron per 100 g (.74 mg) compared to infant products (.51 mg). Within infant products (n=51), more iron was found in products containing beef (.71 mg), followed by turkey (.55 mg), seafood (.54 mg), pork (.46 mg), and chicken (.38 mg). Within toddler products (n=35), more iron was found in seafood (1.11 mg), followed by beef (.88 mg), turkey (.88 mg), pork (.87 mg), and chicken (.68 mg) products. Zinc was infrequently reported on product labels (n= 14 infant and n=1 toddler products). Within infant products, more zinc was found in products containing pork (1.13 mg), followed by beef (.80 mg), turkey (.35 mg), and chicken (.27 mg).

Conclusions: All products assessed contained low amounts of iron and zinc, and infant products tended to have lower amounts of iron than toddler products. This is problematic given that (BF) infants have greater iron needs than toddlers. Meeting the current infant and toddler requirements for iron and zinc during the CF period, particularly for BF children, is challenging if commercial foods are utilized.

Funding Sources: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association