UK Government Guidelines on Food and Nutrition
Policies to Support Care Needs of Children
June 17, 2022Play and Learning in Children’s Education
June 17, 2022UK Government Guidelines on Food and Nutrition
“Nutrition is the term used for the science or study of food and how the body uses the constituent s of food” (Carolyn C., Food Nutrition and How the Body Works, P.23)
Children require the right amount of vitamins and minerals to promote healthy development, therefore the UK government has set guidelines for babies and children’ food consumption to promote healthy development.
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK. The Food Standards Agency works closely with local authority enforcement officers to make sure food law is applied throughout the food chain. The Food standards Agency enforces good food hygiene through the hygiene rating and a child care provider must be able to perform to a good rating. The rating is from a scale of 0 – 5.
The main government guidelines on food and nutrition can be identified in the table below;
| BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS | 6-9 MONTHS | 9 MONTHS + |
| Breast milk or infant formula is the only food that a child needs from birth to 6-months. In the child care setting breast milk must be properly stored to prevent food poising .Adequate sterilization and hygiene must be maintained for both breast milk and infant formula. | Various ranges of prepared food and cereals are available for baby consumption and these could also be prepared and pureed at home, frozen into ice cube trays and used when needed. | Along with healthy fruits and cereal snacks, breast milk and infant formula can still be given. |
| For hungry babies weaning process begin ealier, though government guidelines states that solid food should be introduced after 6months.Child care provider has to avoid some food types such as –Eggs, Liver, fish, shellfish, nuts, seeds, wheat and gluten-based food, unpasteurised and soft cheese. | Babies diet should include milk and dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and beans, rice, potatoes and starchy foods and these should be observed by the child care provider in a child care setting for healthy living | The recommended guideline for serving of solid food portion from 9 months is ;
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| Vitamins drops may still be given to supplement the vitamins A , C , and D got from food as advised by the Department of Health to prevent children lacking these vitamins. | ||
| Vitamin A –helps children to see in dim light, supports and strengthen the immune system and ensure healthy skin. | ||
| Vitamin C – helps the absorption of iron and supports immune system. | ||
| Vitamin D – helps strengthen bones and assist the absorption of calcium. | ||
| All these must be maintained by the child care provider to achieve healthy lifestyle for the children. |
TYPES OF FOOD THAT ARE UNSUITABLE FOR BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Any food and drink provided by the childcare setting should be properly prepared, nutritious and comply with any special dietary requirements. (Teena K, Children’s Care Learning and Development, P.128)
Government guidance on food considered to be unsuitable for babies and young children is key for both parents and child care providers. The food type that is unsuitable for babies and young children are sugar, honey, Nuts, Eggs, Raw shellfish, Foods low in Fat, Swordfish, Shark and Marlin.
