Objectives:

to analyse the nutrient composition, free sugar content and display of health claims or endorsements from scientific or health organizations of growing-up milks made for children aged 1 to 3 years. Also, to compare their nutrient composition to the composition of whole cow’s milk.

Methods:

descriptive study of a sample of 20 growing-up milks sold in supermarkets in Badajoz (Spain). We obtained data on their nutrient composition and any claims or endorsements from the product labels. We estimated the free sugar content of the products by subtracting the total sugar content in cow’s milk from the total sugar content reported in the labels.

Results:

compared to whole cow’s milk, growing-up milks had a higher energy content (67.7 vs. 65 kcal/100 ml) and carbohydrate content (47.5% vs. 29%), and a lower fat content (37.7% vs. 52%) and protein content (14.8% vs. 19%). Free sugars contributed between 3% and 22% of the total energy content. All products featured some type of claim, and 60% had unauthorised health claims and endorsements from the Asociación Española de Pediatría.

Conclusions:

the high content of added sugars in growing-up milks contravenes de recommendations of the World Health Organization and nutrition experts. Therefore, their nutrient composition should be subject to regulation, as well as their labelling, preferably with an interpretive format, while claims or endorsements should only be allowed in products that adhere to nutritional recommendations.

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