Although the proportion of Bio products isn’t quite as high as commonly perceived, there is a clear trend towards foods that come from Bio certified farming. Let’s find out why this tendency has substance and why it is particularly relevant for children’s nutrition.
This is Bio
‘Bio food’ is a definition that is legally defined by the European Union. Foods falling into this category originate from controlled organic sources, are not genetically modified and don’t use conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge. For animal products it stipulates that animals are kept in appropriate conditions as defined by EU regulations, and that are not fed any antibiotics or growth hormones.
Additionally, Bio certified products generally contain fewer additives than conventional products.
All foods that meet the Bio standards can be indentified through the official Bio seal that was introduced in 2001, as well as the EU Bio seal that was introduced in 2010. The most purchased items with this seal include dairy products, breads, fruit and vegetables. You can find the widest choice of Bio foods in Bio supermarkets, although most normal supermarkets now also carry a wide variety.
Bio for babies and children
Breast milk is obviously the purest and most nutritious food for infants and has no perfect substitute. Baby foods that gradually take over from breast milk in the later months of the first year are also highly nutritious and often already abide to the high Bio standards. According to EU legislation, baby foods need to be free from pesticides and be very low in nitrates. Because of this, many manufacturers already exclusively source from Bio certified producers.
When moving on from baby foods, the question of whether to continue nurturing their children with Bio foods poses itself to many parents. A common barrier to doing so often arises through financial considerations, as Bio foods generally have a significant premium price vs. non-Bio alternatives. If this is a problem, parents can opt for a compromise solution and choose local seasonal products in summer – these generally contain less pesticides and nitrates. In winter you can then choose predominantly Bio. For the children it is certainly worth it, as their little organisms are a lot more sensitive to additives such as artificial colorants, flavours or flavour enhancers.
Bio foods contain significantly less of these additives. If you therefore want to make sure that your child’s foods is as free as possible from them, you should opt for Bio as often as possible.