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Image by Wirestock via Magnific
Welcome to our May newsletter, the contents of which are as follows:
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News
Infant milk news
BFLG-UK news
Forthcoming
Happy reading!
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Updated: Eating Well Healthy Start and Best Start Foods, a practical guide
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We’re pleased to share that we have finished updating our resource “Healthy Start and Best Start Foods: A Practical Guide” and it’s now available to download from our website.
This new edition includes updates to help families make the most of the Healthy Start scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or the Best Start Foods scheme in Scotland. Changes have been informed by the feedback and requests of a variety of professionals familiar with the schemes.
Both schemes aim to help pregnant women and families with young children on low incomes afford healthy food and vitamins.
From April 2026, payments for both Healthy Start and Best Start Foods have increased by 10 per cent.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Healthy Start):
- Pregnant women receive £18.60 every four weeks.
- Babies aged 0 to 12 months receive £37.20 every four weeks per baby.
- Children aged 1 to 4 years receive £18.60 every four weeks per child.
Scotland (Best Start Foods):
- Pregnant women receive £22.40 every four weeks.
- Babies receive £44.80 every four weeks per baby.
- Children aged 1 to 3 years receive £22.40 every four weeks per child.
The guide has been updated with these new amounts (pages 8-9). We’ve refreshed the shopping examples using supermarket prices from March 2026 (pages 16-19) as well as re-costing each of the recipes (Part 3).
This edition adds new content to better support families and the professionals working with them. There’s more guidance on supporting low‑income households who are struggling to afford healthy food, including advice on linking families to income and food support (page 11). A new section looks at how stress and worries about food can affect breastfeeding confidence, with clear, reassuring information for parents and practical myth‑busting tips for professionals (pages 12-13).
The guide covers everything from who’s eligible for the schemes and vitamin support (pages 8-9), to affordable family recipes (Part 2) and first foods for babies that can be accessed using the schemes (Part 3).
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We encourage anyone working on Healthy Start or Best Start Foods schemes to look at the updated guide and use it with the families you support. You can download the PDF for FREE or for a donation here. If you are interested in purchasing hard copies ( at £20 per copy) please email admin@firststepsnutrition.org. If we have enough interest, we can do a print run.
What have people said about our guide previously?
“As a first‑time mum, I want myself and my baby to be healthy. This guide really helps.”
“As a student on maternity leave and on a low income, this is an incredibly helpful resource and is helping me give my baby the best start.”
“I’m a health professional and I always recommend these resources in my workshops. This is a trusted, practical guide for families”
We are also currently working on creating bite‑sized, standalone resources for parents and healthcare professionals to make key information from the guide more accessible. Watch this space!
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Updated: Eating Well: The first year. A guide to introducing solids and eating well up to baby’s first birthday
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“Eating well: The first year” is our most popular resource and is very widely used. We have just updated it in the following ways:
- Clarifying content on allergy* (pages 21 and 43, including: introducing potentially allergenic foods, what does an allergic reaction look like, cows’ milk allergy; and FAQs on pages 17 and 41)
- Inclusion of signposting on support for low-income families with babies, in addition to the content on Healthy Start and Best Start foods (page 6)
- Adding explicit reference to the NHS advice on shop-bought baby foods which was added to NHS webpages last year
- Revising the resources section to list relevant organisations and current contact details
*This has been informed by this editorial “Food Allergy Prevention: Is Earlier Complementary Food Introduction Really the Optimal Approach?” by Breen et al, published in August 2025, which we wrote about in our October 2025 newsletter.
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This resource supports application of the recommendations on infant feeding in 2025 NICE guidelines on Maternal and Child Nutrition (NG 247), specifically 1.5.6: “When discussing and giving advice on introducing solid foods, discuss the topics in Box 1 (see below) and:
- provide independent, non-commercial, evidence-based information in line with current UK government advice, and use printed or online resources (for example, Start for Life materials) to complement and reinforce the discussions
- take into account the family's circumstances and living conditions
- be culturally sensitive”
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New: Joint statement on plant-based milk alternatives for children aged 1 year and over
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On 7 May, the editorial “Plant-based drinks for children aged 1 year and over” has been published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy. The editorial by Aisling Phelan and colleagues at Imperial College, outlines current data on plant-based drinks consumption in infancy and early childhood, summarises key nutritional concerns, and highlights a new British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI) joint clinical statement, endorsed by the British Dental Association (BDA) and the Food Allergy Specialist Group of the British Dietetic Association (FASG), created to help healthcare practitioners discuss plant-based drinks appropriately with their patients. The statement is available here.
Key points from the editorial:
- Plant-based drinks are increasingly used as alternatives to cows’ milk in young children following plant-based diets or with suspected cows’ milk allergy (noting persisting overdiagnosis and over perception).
- Marketing positions these drinks as healthy and ‘green’ choices.
- However, there are concerns about the nutrition composition of many plant-based drinks, especially with respect to sugar content. Plant-based growing up and toddler drinks have among the highest sugar contents (see our earlier editorial on this here).
- “Healthcare professionals should routinely assess the types of drinks consumed by young children and provide practical, evidence-based guidance. Understanding why families choose plant-based drinks —including perceived intolerance, cultural preferences or environmental considerations — is essential for supporting informed, shared decision-making. However, it should be clearly communicated that plant-based drinks are not nutritionally interchangeable with cow’s milk. Where plant-based drinks are used, parents and caregivers should be supported to interpret ingredient lists and nutrition labels ensuring they choose unsweetened (without free/added sugars or non-sugar sweeteners) and appropriately fortified (ideally with vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium and iodine) options. Soya drinks are most preferable due to their protein content, while nut-based drinks are least preferred. In cases where dietary variety is limited or growth concerns arise, referral to a paediatric dietitian is recommended”.
The figure below highlights public health recommendations on milk for young children, the health concerns of many of the plant-based options marketed for young children and 3 key messages, including ‘avoid growing-up drinks’.
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The aim, intended audience and key recommendation from the joint statement are as follows:
Aim: To ensure the appropriate choice of plant-based drinks and to highlight the health risks associated with consuming excess free sugars in the diets of young children.
Intended audience: all healthcare professionals who provide general dietary advice e.g., dietitians, doctors, dentists, nurses, health visitors
Where plant-based drinks are used, we recommend that families are advised to choose unsweetened (without free sugars or non-sugar sweeteners) and fortified plant-based drinks to prevent these products from adding unnecessary free sugars to the diets of children aged 1 year and over and to provide a source of micronutrients.
This and the other recommendations in the statement are fully consistent with those of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), in their July 2025 report “Assessment of the health benefits and risks of consuming plant-based drinks”,
There was some coverage of the statement in last week’s news, with quotes from us focusing on growing up milks and drinks, including this article in the Daily Mail and this one in The Times.
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New paper: Multilevel predictors of ultra-processed food intake in Canadian preschoolers
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This paper by Mousavi and colleagues was published in March 2026. It used data from 2,411 Canadian 3-year-olds (collected between 2011 and 2014), their parents and family, and their neighbourhood environments, to explore predictors of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake. Like in the UK, UPFs make up a large part of young children’s diets in Canada (45% for total daily energy intake for this Canadian cohort, compared to 47% for 21-month-olds in the UK Gemini twins cohort). This is concerning due to the large body of evidence linking UPF rich diets to a range of negative health outcomes. The findings provide food for thought to possible drivers of high UPF consumption among young children in the UK and potential policy options to tackle this.
The researchers report finding complex and interconnected influences shaping dietary patterns from an early age, with the key predictors of UPF intake captured in the infographic:
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The researchers highlight:
- The importance of parental modelling and household food availability in shaping children’s early dietary patterns;
- The challenges posed by economic barriers, food literacy, and parental capacity for home food preparation;
- The impact of job accessibility (commute time and flexibility for home working) on parental time poverty and its knock on effects for children’s UPF consumption;
- The role of digital marketing in promoting UPFs to young children;
- The role of breastfeeding protection, promotion and support and interventions promoting healthy complementary feeding practices to lowering UPF consumption later in childhood.
The authors state “Our findings demonstrate how early-life diet is embedded within broader systems of family life, labour markets, and urban design. This moves the discussion beyond the nutrition field toward cross-sectoral strategies, such as transportation planning, parental leave reform, and digital marketing regulation”. They share the following potential policy options:
- Providing incentives to small retailers to stock up on fresh foods in underserved areas;
- Parental leave reforms or hybrid working models (e.g., working certain days from home) to reduce time constraints on food preparation;
- Food literacy programmes such as school-based gardening, cooking, and nutrition education intervention;
- Improved regulation of digital food marketing directed at young children;
- Efforts to improve nutrition literacy, particularly among parents to reduce UPF purchases.
The paper concludes that the study identified a wide range of independent predictors of UPF consumption among Canadian preschoolers, reflecting the convergence of family behaviours and the built environment. “The findings reinforce the need for systems-level public health and policy interventions to promote healthier food environments and behaviours. Reducing UPF intake in early life requires action across multiple systems, such as supporting families through social and employment policies, reshaping urban environments to facilitate fresh food access, and regulating the digital marketing ecosystem”.
Read the full paper here.
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Updated: NHS advice on using bottled water making up formula
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As shown, it clarifies that bottled water can be used to make up infant formula ‘in rare circumstances’ and reminds parents/carers to follow the usual steps for safer preparation.
The advice on choosing water has been removed (it used to say make sure you read the label and check the water contains: less than 200 milligrams (mg) a litre of sodium (also written as Na) and less than 250mg a litre of sulphate (also written as SO or SO4)). We will keep a look out for new complementary advice from the FSA and UKHSA and will share anything new arising.
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News: Kendamil Bonya to be discontinued
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Kendal Nutricare has announced that Bonya infant milk by Kendamil will be discontinued, with distribution expected to end in July 2026. The statement states that retailers have chosen to delist the product following relatively low sales, and the company has said it will now focus production on the main Kendamil range.
Families currently using Bonya should be aware that availability may reduce over time, particularly in store, in case they would like to plan ahead. However, all first infant formulas meet the nutrition composition standards and switching brands poses no risks to babies.
Why this matters for families on low incomes
Bonya has been one of the lowest cost infant formulas available in the UK, often listed among the five least expensive options on the market. Its withdrawal may therefore have a disproportionate impact on families on low incomes, including those who rely on lower cost formulas to manage household food budgets.
To support families and professionals navigating this change, we encourage readers to refer to our “Lowest Cost Infant Formula” infographic, which provides information on other affordable formula options currently available in the UK. We will update this infographic with May prices very soon.
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News: HiPP Organic infant milk formulations
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We’ve been notified of recent formulation changes to some HiPP Organic ready to feed infant milks. We are sharing this brand specific update to help ensure parents and healthcare professionals are aware of recent formulation changes that affect ingredients and allergen information, which can vary between ready to feed and powdered versions of the same product.
HiPP has confirmed that its ready to feed First Infant Milk, across all sizes, no longer uses DHA sourced from fish oil and is now suitable for vegetarians. The same change has been made to ready to feed Follow on Milk and Growing Up Milk, which are also now suitable for vegetarians. However, neither product type is necessary if following public health recommendations which state that first infant formula can be used to 12 months of age and no formulas are necessary past 12 months. As older stock may still be on sale in supermarkets, families are advised to check allergen information carefully.
It’s important to note that this change does not apply to HiPP powdered milks. HiPP Organic First Infant Milk, Follow on Milk and Growing Up Milk powders still contain fish and are not suitable for vegetarians.
This difference between ready to feed and powdered formulations highlights why it’s essential for families and professionals not to assume products with the same branding are identical. Ingredients and allergen content can vary by format, and reformulations may not be immediately obvious. Parents and carers with dietary requirements, allergies, or ethical preferences should always check the ingredient list and allergen labelling on the specific product they are buying, particularly when switching between formats or brands.
Health professionals may also wish to flag this distinction when discussing formula options with families who use formula to feed their babies, especially those who are vegetarian or who avoid fish for other reasons.
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New: FAQ: What infant formulas are kosher?
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There is not a simple answer to this question because of variation in interpretation of kosher status and in individual observance.
Kosher refers to food prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. Interpretations and practices of what is considered kosher vary among individuals, families and communities. An individual’s requirements for kosher products can vary depending on personal levels of observance and the guidance they follow.
The kosher status of infant formula products depends on multiple factors, including the source of ingredients, how they are processed, and the conditions under which the product is manufactured. This information is not always publicly available or fully disclosed by manufacturers.
Ingredients and processing considerations
UK law requires infant formulas to contain specific nutrients to support an infant’s healthy development. Some of these nutrients, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may be derived from different sources, including fish oil or algal oil. Where fish oil is used, the source may not always be specified on infant formula products. It is possible that products may include oils from kosher fish, such as salmon or tuna, or from non-kosher sources.
Enzymes sometimes used during manufacturing, such as trypsin, rennet or lipase, may also affect kosher status. These enzymes can be derived from animal sources, including animals that are not kosher, such as pigs. Details of the origin and processing of these enzymes are not always publicly available.
Differences in manufacturing processes, including shared equipment or production lines, may also affect kosher status.
Certification and oversight
Because infant formula contains complex ingredients and is often produced in shared facilities, obtaining formal kosher certification in complex.
In some cases, infant formula products may be approved as meeting kosher requirements without displaying a kosher symbol on the packaging.
Kosher certification bodies are independent organisations that assess and certify whether food products meet kosher requirements. There are a few different kosher certification bodies in the UK, and which certifications individuals accept may vary. The KLBD (Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din) is one such organisation that provides independent assessment of food products (including infant formula) based on the available information about ingredients and manufacturing processes. Their “Is it Kosher?” resource may provide helpful product specific guidance.
Many infant formula products on “Is it Kosher?” may be described as dairy (chalav akum). This indicates that they are derived from the milk of a kosher animal (such as a cow), contain no obvious non-kosher ingredients, but are produced without ongoing rabbinic supervision. Products with this status may be acceptable to some families but not to others, depending on individual practice.
More broadly, most infant formulas available on the UK market are not manufactured with continuous rabbinic supervision, and Jewish families may differ in how comfortable they are with this.
Practical guidance for healthcare professionals
Given variation in interpretation of kosher status and observance by families, healthcare professionals should discuss individual preferences with families to support informed decision making about using specific formula products.
Our individual product datasheets contain the latest data we have on each product formulation’s kosher status. They can be found at www.infantmilkinfo.org. Products are only labelled as kosher where this has been explicitly confirmed by the manufacturer; otherwise, the field is left blank.
This FAQ can be found alongside many more (including a question about if infant formulas are halal) in the FAQ section of our www.infantmilkinfo.org website, as shown below (you need to register to access this site, but it only takes a few minutes).
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For infant milk information please visit our website www.infantmilkinfo.org. If you can’t find what you’re looking for please email rachel@firststepsnutrition.org
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Baby Feeding Law Group UK News
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News: Outrage over UN-Nestlé partnership
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During March 2026, announcements were made by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) here and by Nestlé here, about their “strategic partnership” for the establishment of “the World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems for Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building”. Following this announcement, an open letter was written and coordinated by Dr Phillip Baker, Associate Professor at the School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia. The letter was signed by almost 600 public health experts (including our Director on behalf of First Steps), calling on the UNU-INWEH to end this partnership. The letter describes the conflict of interest created from this partnership, and the ongoing misleading marketing practices used by Nestlé, especially relating to foods for infants and young children, including continuous violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions. The letter also calls for stronger safeguards across all United Nations affiliated institutions, to prevent undue corporate influence.
It is still possible for people to add their signatures to the letter here.
This process has been reported in the April 2026 issue of Lancet by Udani Samarasekera, in the following piece: Outrage over UN–Nestlé partnership.
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IBFAN/ILCA request for stories from families affected by formula recalls
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The 79th World Health Assembly (#WHA79) is taking place from 18-23 May 2026. On Friday 22 May 2026, IBFAN, ILCA and others are hosting a side event on "Contaminated Commercial Formula - the need for a global response to protect child health”. Updated information about this event will be available on the Baby Milk Action blog, here.
In preparation for the side event, IBFAN (the International Baby Food Action Network) and ILCA (the International Lactations Consultants’ Association) are collecting stories from families who have been affected by the recent recalls of infant formula. They are asking for help from healthcare professionals to invite families to record a short video of their experiences.
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If you are a health worker supporting families with infant feeding, please consider sharing this ask within your teams/organisations. You can ask the families you support to share their story on this link.
It would be great if these can be shared and submitted as soon as possible, as they will need to be collated and compiled ahead of the meetings.
This has been shared on social media (mainly Facebook and Instagram) by ILCA and IBFAN and the following posts can be reused if useful:
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“The Code at 45: Why It Still Matters” webinar: 21 May 21, 7-9pm
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The Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland (ALCI) are hosting a webinar to celebrate 45 years of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. This two-hour webinar, which has been awarded 2E CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points) will explore the relevance of the Code in modern healthcare and across society, including the digital environment and lessons arising from recent food safety challenges. It examines core ethical principles, communication challenges, and dilemmas facing professionals, policy makers and public health systems.
The webinar will be hosted by Malvina Walsh, Secretary and former Chair of the Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland (BFLGI) alliance, the BFLGI representative on the Oireachtas Breastfeeding Working Group and liaison for BFLGI with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), and Dr Sarah Brennan, a GP with a special interest in women’s health and breastfeeding medicine and a lecturer in Donegal Medical Academy and co-chair of BFLGI.
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Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024 publication, 4 June
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The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will be publishing this long-awaited report at 9.30am on Thursday 4 June. The report will present findings of the survey, with data collected from mothers at three time points from birth to 10 months. Data includes incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding, support for breastfeeding, introduction of solid foods, and mother's habits during pregnancy. See here.
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Infantmilkinfo.org webinar: Wednesday 24 June, 1-2pm
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We will be delivering a webinar on Wednesday 24 June from 1:00 – 2:00pm, to introduce healthcare professionals with an interest in infant milk feeding to our website dedicated to infant milk: www.infantmilkinfo.org.
The webinar will show users how to navigate the website and provide some insight on how it may be useful in their work. This webinar will update the one available on our website from last August, and provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions to members of the First Steps Nutrition team. You can register here.
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The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) conference, 27 June hybrid London/online
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First Steps Nutrition Trust will be exhibiting virtually at this year’s annual ABM conference. For tickets, the speaker line up and more information see here.
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The Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative virtual conference, 18-19 November
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This annual conference brings together those involved in the care of babies, their parents and families to learn about the latest research and innovations in infant feeding and relationship building.
The 2026 conference is now open for bookings - find out more here: 2026 Virtual Conference - Baby Friendly Initiative. The early booking discount is available until 31 July.
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