So-called toddler milks are unregulated and unnecessary, a major pediatrician group says

Powdered drink mixes that are widely promoted as “toddler milks” for older babies and children up to age 3 are unregulated, unnecessary, and “nutritionally incomplete,” the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned October 20. The drinks, which are touted to parents on TikTok, in television ads, and on other sites, often contain added sugar and salt. The manufacturers make unproven claims that the drinks boost kids’ brains or immune systems, said Dr. George Fuchs, a member of the AAP’s nutrition committee, which released the new report. Formula industry officials said the toddler drinks could be useful for filling “nutrition gaps” in kids' diets. But Fuchs said older babies and toddlers should be given a balanced diet of solid foods, as well as breast milk, fortified whole cow’s milk, and water after age 1. Infant formula is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must meet certain nutrition requirements as a replacement for human milk for babies up to 12 months. The facilities where infant formula is made are regularly inspected. There are no federal regulations governing milk drink mixes for older babies and toddlers. Also, toddler drinks are different than medical formulas prescribed for specific conditions, such as heart disease or problems digesting certain foods. Why are health experts concerned? Fuchs and other experts point to the lack of common standards for toddler milks, which means the ingredients vary widely among brands. Most contain added sugar and are targeted toward children who are at the age when they could develop a lasting taste for sweets, possibly leading to obesity and other diseases. “It could be called the gateway sugary drink,” said Frances Fleming-Milici, director of marketing initiatives and a research professor with the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health at the University of Connecticut. Toddler milks are widely advertised, and sales have soared in recent years, from $39 million in 2006 to $92 million in 2015, according to a 2020 study. Fleming-Milici said companies promote these products in a way that may lead parents to believe the drinks are nutritionally necessary. "They look a lot like infant formula,” she said. “Parents really trust the formula they use for their children.” This article was provided by The Associated Press.