New criteria when choosing food for young children

Many consumers often judge foods based on the nutritional content added. However, nutritionists say that an equally important factor is what is removed from the product, especially when it comes to foods for young children.

Choosing Food: Don't Just Add Value, Subtract Risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed antibiotic resistance as one of the top 10 threats to global public health. One of the causes of this situation is prolonged exposure to antibiotic residues found in everyday foods.

Some studies have shown that antibiotic residues, even at low levels, can affect the gut microbiota, especially in susceptible individuals. Prolonged exposure may also potentially affect the immune, metabolic, or endocrine systems, especially in young children, whose bodies are still developing.

Some ingredients such as growth hormones, genetically modified ingredients or antibiotic residues can remain in food that are difficult for consumers to detect.

Experts say that young children need to be especially careful when choosing food. "If residual factors such as antibiotics or growth hormones are not controlled and accumulate over time in the body, these substances can affect the immune system, metabolism or endocrine system in young children."

Clean food is identified from what is "not there"

Many developed countries are now recording a new consumer trend. In addition to looking for "nutrient-rich" products, consumers also prioritize foods of natural origin.

A Nielsen 2025 survey found that 75% of global consumers are willing to pay more for products that claim to be “free” of synthetic additives. This reflects a growing demand for purity and transparency, not just about what’s in a product, but also what’s “not.”

In Vietnam, some fresh milk brands have begun to clearly announce the "no" commitment right on the product packaging, helping consumers easily identify. According to experts, this is an important factor in choosing food for young children, who need to be assured of input safety right from the breeding and production stages.

The quality of fresh milk is affected by the farming process and the origin of input materials.

"When we put glasses of fresh milk on the table, we can see that they are the same, but if we trace back to the cow care process, we will see: The difference in the care and management of the cows is the decisive factor in the true cleanliness and safety of the glass of milk," the expert analyzed. When choosing milk, parents should carefully learn about the origin of the product, the dairy farming process, and whether the manufacturer transparently announces the "absent" elements in the product.

Traceability and transparency of ingredients, especially what is “not” in a product, are becoming important criteria in food selection. When risk factors are controlled from the beginning, consumers will have a stronger foundation to build a safe, healthy diet for the whole family.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tieu-chi-moi-khi-chon-thuc-pham-cho-tre-nho-185250722204621245.htm