Up-market baby food in focus

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  • Updated:23 Feb 2007
 

08.Holle

An organic (and sometimes biodynamic) baby food in jars with reasonably clear labelling, but many varieties contain significant amounts of flour or starch and water. Like other food in jars, it uses heat treatment to make it shelf stable. Imported from Switzerland. Holle baby food

Labelling: Percentages of main ingredients, such as vegetables, meat and fruits, are given on the label. Quantities of some ingredients are not given, for example water, fruit juice, flours and starch.

Thickeners/fillers: Makes a 'no thickeners' claim on some varieties, but not all – sometimes it’s only claimed in French, but not English, several varieties include rice flour as an ingredient. Named ingredients and ingredients such as vegetables, fruit and meat, frequently only make up around 40% of the product, the rest is mainly water, and flours (sometimes wholegrain flour) or starch.

Product name accuracy: Rice (as rice flour) is sometimes included although not in the name. For example the Pear variety, from 4 months, is just 68% pear plus water, pear juice concentrate, rice starch, rice flour and lemon juice. The apple variety similarly only contains 45% apple.

Meat content: Only 2 meat varieties found – both contained 8% chicken or beef.

Organic: Certified organic, several varieties are also certified bio-dynamic.

Type: Jar.

Made in: Switzerland

Storage and serving: Can be stored at room temperature until opened. Serve warm or at room temperature. Opened, but unheated portion can be stored in fridge for 48 hours.

Processing: Heat treated in jar to preserve. The manufacturer claims this is done at a lower temperature and for a longer time than most food in jars to reduce the loss of nutrients.

Available in: Some health and organic food stores - see website for details.

Price we paid:

  • $3.95 to $4.15 per 190g jar.
  • $3.95 to $4.45 per 220g jar.

Website: www.holle.com.au

 

 
Holle range:
Name
Ingredients
From 4 months
Broccoli & whole grain rice
Broccoli 50%, water, rice flour 6%, rice starch
Parsnip
Parsnip 57%, water
Organic carrots
Carrots 80%, water
Organic carrots with apple
Carrots 70%, apple 20%, water
Organic cauliflower & potatoes and broccoli
Water, potatoes 30%, cauliflower 10%, broccoli 10%, rice flour
Organic mixed vegetables
Vegetables 85% (carrots, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, leek), water
Organic zucchini & pumpkin with potatoes
Water, potatoes 18%, zucchini 12%, pumpkin 12%, rice flour
Potatoes, corn & beef
Water, potatoes 24%, corn 16%, beef 8%, rice flour, rice starch
Pumpkin and chicken
Water, pumpkin 30%, rice flour, chicken 8%, rice starch
Banana & peach
Peach 40%, banana 30%, water, rice flour, apple juice concentrate, lemon juice
Organic apple
Apple 45%, water, pear juice concentrate, rice flour, lemon juice
Organic apple & banana with apricot
Water, apple 26%, banana 16%, pear juice concentrate, rice starch, apricot 4%, lemon juice
Organic apple & banana with whole wheat flakes
Water, apple 20%, banana 15%, pear juice concentrate, whole wheat flakes 3.5%, whole wheat flour, lemon juice
Organic apple & bilberry with whole wheat flakes
Water, apple 30%, pear juice concentrate, bilberries 5%, whole wheat flakes 4%, whole wheat flour, lemon juice
Pear
Pear 68%, water, pear juice concentrate, rice starch, rice flour, lemon juice
From 7 months
Mixed vegetable with millet
Water, vegetables 45% (carrots, tomatoes, spinach), millet flakes 4%, millet flour
Organic apple & pear with whole wheat flakes
Water, apple 22%, pears 13%, pear juice concentrate, whole wheat flour, whole wheat flakes 4%, lemon juice
 

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