About this Research Topic
Adequate feeding during early childhood is essential for ensuring healthy growth and development. Global recommendations for optimal infant feeding include exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, but when it is not possible or insufficient, infant formulae are used to supply the nutritional demands of suckling infants. The diversification of feeding usually starts at 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years of age or beyond. Nutritionally adequate and safe complementary feeding includes mainly pureed vegetables, meat and fruits, juice, baby cereals, baby snacks, yogurt, soups, and others.
Infants can be fed with home-prepared baby food or commercial products available on the market. Preparing baby foods at home can be time-consuming, but parents generally consider them as the preferred option to provide fresh, tasty, and nutritious ingredients to their children. However, the demand for packaged baby food have been propelled in many regions by changes in lifestyle patterns. Consequently, the development of high-quality baby food products has accelerated the growth of the market. Regardless of its form of production (homemade or industrial), strict care must be taken in order to ensure the quality and safety of these products.
Considering the rising awareness regarding the nutritional and safety aspects of baby foods, this Research Topic aims to present current and future challenges to ensure adequate food for infants.
We welcome contributions of original research articles and reviews related to the following topics, but not limited to them:
- Nutritional composition
- Bioactive compounds
- Allergens
- Microbial contamination and toxins
- Chemical contaminants
- Residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs
- Food additives and technology adjuvants
- Processing and production technologies
- Packaging
- Labelling requirements
- Regulations and legislation
- Sensory properties
Infants can be fed with home-prepared baby food or commercial products available on the market. Preparing baby foods at home can be time-consuming, but parents generally consider them as the preferred option to provide fresh, tasty, and nutritious ingredients to their children. However, the demand for packaged baby food have been propelled in many regions by changes in lifestyle patterns. Consequently, the development of high-quality baby food products has accelerated the growth of the market. Regardless of its form of production (homemade or industrial), strict care must be taken in order to ensure the quality and safety of these products.
Considering the rising awareness regarding the nutritional and safety aspects of baby foods, this Research Topic aims to present current and future challenges to ensure adequate food for infants.
We welcome contributions of original research articles and reviews related to the following topics, but not limited to them:
- Nutritional composition
- Bioactive compounds
- Allergens
- Microbial contamination and toxins
- Chemical contaminants
- Residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs
- Food additives and technology adjuvants
- Processing and production technologies
- Packaging
- Labelling requirements
- Regulations and legislation
- Sensory properties
Keywords: Infants, childhood, health, infant formula, contamination, legislation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
