Because babies are developing so quickly and because their bodies are sensitive to pollution and toxic chemicals such as pesticide residue, it is especially important that their food is as toxin free and as nutritious as possible. A baby consumes more as a percentage of its body weight than an adult, and their physiology is not yet fully developed to deal with toxins. Home made is of course always best, however when this is not possible there are alternatives. There are several organic food companies that market their products in Australia. Among these are Bellamy's Organic Farms, Babynat, Holle, and Heinz.

Bellamy's Baby Food

Bellamy's Baby Food is the only Australian owned, Australian grown range of products. Bellamy's Organic Babyfoods foods are pure and natural and grown without the use of chemical additives. Thier products are all Australian Certified Organic which ensures they have met the highest possible standards of organic production in the country. By using natural planting, growing, ripening and harvesting methods organic food is also more likely to be better for your baby's health because it has retained maximum levels of vitamins and minerals essential for healthy development. Organic food is simply the best choice for your growing baby. Bellamy's organic farms are committed to applying strict agricultural production standards for all their products. By using natural planting, growing, ripening and harvesting methods organic food is simply better for your health retaining maximum levels of vitamins and minerals essential for healthy living.

Bellamy's farming practices involve:

* no chemical or synthetic sprays
* Government legislation protects the state of Tasmania from the use of GMOs
* all natural treatments for pests
* selective weeding where necessary
* proven traditional seed varieties
* laboratory testing of soils, and water

As an Australian company Bellamy's Organic Farms Tasmania uses produce from Australia's diverse agricultural heartlands to supply the certified organic ingredients. There are no imported ingredients. The organic oats are grown in Bordertown in South Australia, organic rice is grown at Leeton in the Riverina region of NSW, and the organic wheat is grown in central Queensland. Australia leads the way in the world in having almost 10 million hectares (24.6 million acres) under organic management.

Bellamy's Organic Baby Food should be the first choice. It is available from Woolworths stores nationally, selected Coles stores nationally, and some healthfood stores. Ask your healthfood store or supermarket to stock Bellamy's organic baby foods. Contact Bellamy's for distribution information. Toll free: 1800 010 460

Babynat Organic Baby Food

Babynat Organic Baby Food is imported from Europe and distributed by a Gold Coast company. The products are certified organic by Ecocert International in Europe and the UK Soil Association. Check their certification criteria. Babynat organic products come from agriculture that does not use pesticides or chemical fertilisers. Organic agriculture bans GMO's and helps to preserve the environment.

Organicom is an organic product import and distribution business on the Gold Coast that can provide details on stockists. www.organicom.net.au. All Organicom's products are certified organic.

Babynat

Babynat is a range of quality organic food products developed specially for infants. The manufacturer, Vitagermine, developed the Babynat range in 1996. They were the first European company to introduce a fully organic infant formula, and were the recipients of the Innovasial Award at the international trade show, SIAL, in Paris of that year. They continue their innovation even now, with new products still being developed and added to the range.

Vitagermine (the company that manufactures Babynat) is a company based in Bordeaux, France and has over 40 years experience in the health food industry. Their organic products are manufactured according to the highest nutritional standards, with raw materials obtained from certified organic sources.

The Babynat products currently available in Australia consists of cereals, biscuits, infant formula and fruit and vegetable jars. Other products in the range will be released in the near future. You can contact Organicom for distribution information. Tel: 1800 750093 www.organicom.net.au

Holle Organic Baby Food

Holle is another company that makes organic baby food products that are available in Australia. The ingredients used in Holle's baby food range come from bio-dynamic or organic agriculture. This means:

* a natural cycle of cultivation without exploiting animals, soil or the environment
* quality not quantity
* variety instead of monoculture
* animals kept in their natural environment
* the use of animal hormones and growth regulators are rejected
* natural compost instead of artificial fertilisers
* all chemical plant and insect protection agents are rejected
* no chemical additives during processing/treatment such as for example, preservatives

For every infant food, the following applies:

* no ingredients made from gene technology, guaranteed
* no added crystallized sugar
* no added table salt
* no added aromas, colours or preservatives

Holle have a range of baby cereals and a baby formula.

Information on where to purchase Holle organic baby food can be obtained from: Tel. + 61 3 9357 7161
www.organics4kids.com

Heinz Organic Baby Foods

Heinz Organic baby foods are certified organic and have been tested and approved by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).

This article was reproduced by kind permission of Dr CL Claridge who will shortly release: Buddha Heart Parenting: Enrich your family with Buddhist wisdom and compassion

Comments (0)