My reply to a query from Organix...

[colditz]

()

Hi there *,

Thank you for your mail concerning the recommended age for weaning by
the WHO.

We do adhere to their guidelines and whilst they have said from 6
months
they have also confirmed to us that it could happen any time between 4
to 6 months so we are still allowed to say this on our foods. If you
look at competitor products like Heinz, Hipp and Cow and Gate they are
doing the same.

The reasons they have directed us to do this is because many babies are
ready to wean before 6 months of age and parents are frustrated that
they have to wait until 6 months of age to feed their hungry babies.

The coin is two-sided. We will always follow guidelines and
legislation
and have always done so. We have had it confirmed that we are able to
say in our literature that Health Professionals recommend that weaning
shouldn't take place before 6 months so if you want to start the
process
sooner than this you need to consult a Health Professional.

We are following guidelines and we have had confirmation that we can
say
this on our packaging. When and if that situation changes of course we
will change it according to what we are told and guided to do by the
government and health professionals.

We are always very open and honest within our communications and will
always adhere to rules and regulations concerning babyfoods and
otherwise.

I am sorry that you feel disappointed but I do hope this has helped
answer some of your concerns.

Kind Regards
Marie Van Hagen
Brand/Customer Service Manager

What do you all think? I think Hunker will be interested in this reply, as she is known to get rabid on the subject

[hunkermunker]

I think it's something that needs to be addressed at Government level, because I don't think any of the baby food manufacturers are going to alter their packaging before they are forced to. After all, they are losing out on a potential two months sales for every baby in the country, so I don't blame them really (though I despise them for it ).

I had a similar reply from Heinz when I wrote to them about this ages ago - never followed it up though as was in postnatal fog last time.

Think I'll write to my MP on the subject though.

(Is that rabid enough? )

[zippitippitoes]

well, it tells me that organix don't want to lose out to other baby manufacturers so from a commercial pointof view they will emphasise their difference (organic) but want to fight for customers alongside the big players

possibly they are less pioneering and baby centred than you would imagine

[Tatties]

Seems like their attitude is "everybody else is doing it so it's okay..."

[Racers]

Not as rabid as I'd expected but bloody quick!

[hunkermunker]

Had just logged on too, Racers - good timing, Colditz!

[LIZS]

fairly predictable repsonse tbh.

[carla]

colditz, could they have a point? It surely wouldn't be in their interest to market them if no one bought them. Both dds are old enough for the 6 month thing not to have been applicable to them, but I would have gone crazy if someone had told me to wait for the 6 months if they were obviously ready for solids.

Having said that, I do remember spooning baby rice into their mouths and thinking 'this can't be right', but I just did what HV told me to. First, or even second time mums are so vulnerable - is that the point you're making?

[SorenLorensen]

It tells me they need to work on their letter writing skills...

We have had it confirmed that we are able to
say in our literature that Health Professionals recommend that weaning
shouldn't take place before 6 months so if you want to start the
process
sooner than this you need to consult a Health Professional.

Talk about convoluted

[hunkermunker]

(They were probably weaned early, SL - addles the brain, dontcha know )

[SorenLorensen]

I knew you would say that

[GDG]

It's horrendously written, that's all I can say!!

[hunkermunker]

Oh, bloody hell, I'm becoming predictable?

[milward]

"parents are frustrated that
they have to wait until 6 months of age to feed their hungry babies."

Do they mean that bf isn't enough for first 6 months of life?????? - this goes against the who guidelines!!

[colditz]

Don't be daft HM, I think everyone should get as cross with them as you do, I know I will once my baby is actually born.

This email looks like a hefty dose of wriggling around the subject to me.

[SoupDragon]

"Do they mean that bf isn't enough for first 6 months of life?"

Thing is, not all babies have read the guidelines so they don't all follow the timings. Some will be hungrier for more than milk before 6 months, some will be ready later.

[carla]

SD, I don't know if I dare say it, but that was the point I was trying to make.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

"Do they mean that bf isn't enough for first 6 months of life?"


And what of those that are bottlefed.........

[starlover]

We do adhere to their guidelines and whilst they have said from 6
months
they have also confirmed to us that it could happen any time between 4
to 6 months so we are still allowed to say this on our foods



so.... unless they are lying, then what's the problem?
the 6 month thing is a GUIDELINE... not a law

[hunkermunker]

If I'd weaned DS1 when he went through his ravenous 4-month growth spurt, I'd have been saying "Oh, he was far too hungry to wait" I'm sure.

I didn't. He waited and settled after his growth spurt.

Weaning early often seems to be seen as a badge of "oh my child is SO advanced" - load of arse.

[harpsichordcarrier]

it's terribly arse covery and tremendously inelegant.
I could do without the "hi there" as well but maybe that's just me.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

I do find it interesting that WHO has a 'protocol for adapting feeding recommondations' - ........so not set entirely in stone even for them.

[hunkermunker]

I have never heard that the WHO says 4-6 months. Am tempted to email them to ask. Think that might be very rabid though

[SoupDragon]

As an aside, if some health guideline said "your baby will walk at 12 months" would you expect all children to be ready to walk at 12 months or would you expect some to be ready earlier and some later?

[hunkermunker]

That's a motor skill though, gut maturity is different.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

of course it's differnet - so is the hormone (or whatever it is) that helps them potty train......so just because one baby doesn't need food until 6 (or 7 or 8) months, doesn't mean another is going to be the same.