From Heinz
In relation to recent media reports regarding the presence of ‘Phthalates’ and ‘ESBO’ in baby food and infant/ toddler accessories, Heinz Australia offers the following information to its customers.
Phthalates
Phthalates is a plasticizer used by some manufacturers to help seal foods in its packaging. Heinz does not use phthalates in any of its baby food packaging or Baby Basics range.
ESBO
ESBO (Epoxidised Soybean Oil) is used in the manufacture of glass jar lids and is found in the seal on the inside of the lid. It helps prevent microbiological contamination or oxidation of the foods during transport and storage. In certain circumstances (eg in higher fat content foods), ESBO can migrate to food in microscopic quantities. Whilst there are no known adverse health effects from the presence of a minute amount of ESBO, the EU has set a limit for the presence of ESBO in foods to ensure that packaged food remains as pure as possible.
Currently, there is only a European standard for the presence of ESBO levels in food (including a standard for infant foods). The Australian food regulator, FSANZ, does not consider it necessary to set an ESBO standard.
In March this year, in order to ensure that there was no cause for concern about Heinz babyfoods, Heinz withdrew two products which had a higher fat content than our other foods - Heinz Globetotters Butter Chicken and Heinz Delights Lemon Crème.
This voluntary withdrawal was purely a precautionary measure.
Heinz Australia is confident that all of its current baby food products fall within the EU guidelines for ESBO. Any customer who has a query should call our consumer hotline on 1800633333.
Heinz is dedicated to making baby food of the highest standard of purity, safety and nutrition. There are no preservatives, added salt, colours or artificial flavours, we cook the food it in its own juices to lock in all the nutrients and flavours, and we naturally preserve the food by vacuum sealing to ensure it is safe from harmful bacteria.
Heinz Australia has a long and proud record of supplying healthy and nutritious food to all Australians and we would do nothing to jeopardise this record.
