To expect Sainsburys to remove evaporated milk with dangerous labelling

[FannyBazaar]

The offending tins state 'infant feeding, contact your doctor or clinic as special dilutions may be advised' and are in 2 different sizes. I have contacted customer services by email and in store and know I'm not the only one to inform them of this error.

I know it doesn't simply say that it is suitable, but I also know of many examples of doctors and clinics giving unsafe feeding advice.

Funny, Gribble, my mars bar doesn't say it either.

I might start a campaign. Who do I write to? And if I do complain, do you think they'd send me vouchers for free chocolate?

Honestly, does every single foodstuff have to have a warning on it as to whether it is or isn't suitable for babies?

Any honey I've bought (including the honey in my cupboard) says unsuitable for infants under 12 months.

The wording on the packaging SUGGESTS it is an alternative to breast milk/formula, therefore it should be changed. If its unsuitable then either say its unsuitable or don't mention infant feeding at all rather than implying it may be suitable if diluted correctly.

Are you sure Fred? I have just checked both jars of honey I have (Tesco and Aldi) and both say not suitable for infants under 12 months.

It would be better for evaporated milk to have no mention of infant feeding, that a statement suggesting it can be used.

Exactly - it doesn't say 'check with the doctor as crunching up may be advised for infants'

It doesn't say anything at all. So why does evaporated milk?

That post was for Gribble.

I don't think anyone has said all foods should have a warning. Just that unsuitable foods shouldn't suggest they are suitable. As it "check with Dr about correct dosage of brandy"

Do you see the difference hathor?

i dont think thay wording suggests ots a substitute for infant formula/breastmilk.

i would read that and think that if you are to pour it over your fruit salad (boak) you should probably dilute it prior to giving it to babies...if you were so inclined in the first place.

Rita there's no need to be patronising.

so what exactly happens to children fed evaporated milk?

I agree with Valar to me it reads like if you're going to give this to an infant as part of a mixed diet, when weaning, then talk to your HCP

I'm sorry if you found that patronising, I thought you genuinely didn't see the difference.

Valar - why on earth would you need to dilute it to give on fruit salad? That makes no sense. They use the term "infant feeding" - which commonly means milk feeds for babies (eg breastmilk or a substitute).

Belgo - Im thinking on the same lines as Valar - maybe it just means if you want to feed it to a baby/infant for weaning, or in desserts etc then to check with HV first.

Its not as if people are going to walk past the baby aisle going "no, this aisle isnt for me, I'll be wanting the Birds Instant Custard and Ready Made Flan aisle for my babies milk"

sausagerolemodel - only breastmilk or formula milk is suitable for feeding infants (as a "feed"), as cow's milk lacks nutrients and iron. A baby fed on evaporated milk would likely end up vitamin deficient and malnourished.

Rita I am perfectly well capable of seeing the difference.

This labelling is another example of the nanny state gone mad. IMHO.

No one with half a brain in this day and age uses evaporated milk to make up a bottle and feed it to a newborn.

And if they do, they have bigger problems than a label on a Sainsbos tin can sort.

Valar - evap milk has a lot of sugar / fats in it, some people like to dilute it a bit first before giving it to a weaning baby. As I said earlier I know someone who uses it as normal milk by diluting it (think its about 1 part milk to 4 parts water or some shit like that)

i have no idea why you'd dilute it for a fruit salad. but other than making caramel and fudge that is the only thing i can think it is used for.

Glad im not alone in my apparently nonsensical understanding of it.

not Valar, I meant Rita

If you only wanted to use it for a dessert, then why would you check with a professional?

The problem is the term 'infant feeding' as others have said, that generally means ffing/bfing.

sausagerolemodel Not a lot, they end up short in iron and vitamin C, - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10489720 - which supplements could make up. It's not terrible, as many people have said it's been used for quite a long time. It's just nowhere near as good as breast milk or formula. It's slightly better than whole milk.

RitaMorgan I checked again - no warning on the 3, all non-supermarket brands, they could've been bought at any time, I don't eat honey so they might've been in the cupboard for years, and could even be from Canada (our peanut butter inexplicably is...)

It should be removed because it is unclear what actually means. If a label isn't clear it is pointless.

For the benefits of plain English alone it should go. Never mind what may/may not be inferred from the current wording.

Belgo - because it is very fatty / sugary, maybe its just saying check with a professional to see if you need to dilute it before giving to a baby / toddler?

Anything could have dangerous labelling if you're a total numpty and don't use what is between your ears.

YABU. And you have far too much time in your hands.

Find another hobby.

When my dc were little [1970-76] tins of evap carried recommended dilutions to feed it in bottles from birth.At least one of my dsc was fed it from birth without problems.I gave it to ds occasionally when I ran out of formula [I couldnt bf because of cysts on milk ducts].

The 1920's recipe appears to be 13 oz evap milk, 19oz water, 2 tablespoons of sugar. from here the only concern they have above the vit c/iron content is the relative high salt which it notes is only a problem during diarrhea etc.

Been interesting reading about this...