Glossary
Every baby-food term, decoded
29 nutrition, additive, allergen, label and infant-formula terms explained in 100 words each, with a concrete example and the official source (ANSES, EFSA, ESPGHAN, WHO, RappelConso, FAO).
Additives
acide citrique
E330 (citric acid) occurs naturally in citrus but is mostly industrially fermented. Common acidifier and preservative in fruit pouches. EFSA deems it safe but high exposure can erode tooth enamel.
Example : Une compote industrielle qui contient E330 : pas un drapeau rouge en soi, mais on surveille la frequence et les dents qui poussent.
additif e150d
E150d (sulphite ammonia caramel) is an industrial brown colorant. Found in sodas and some colored infant cereals. EFSA confirmed its ADI but animal studies on 4-MeI byproduct raise concerns. Unnecessary in baby food.
Example : Une boisson maltee pour enfants contient parfois E150d : zero interet nutritionnel, juste un coup d'esthetique.
additif e471
E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) is a synthetic emulsifier authorized in baby food without max dose. Controversial because it can be palm-derived and emerging research suggests some emulsifiers disturb gut microbiota.
Example : Un biscuit bebe avec 'E471' dans la liste : legal, mais on prefere une alternative sans emulsifiant (sable maison, biscuits avec juste farine + beurre + lait).
carraghenane
E407 (carrageenan) is a red-seaweed gelling agent. Banned in infant formula for under-16-week-old babies (EU Directive 2006/141) due to inflammatory risk. Allowed beyond but avoided by the best brands.
Example : Un dessert lacte bebe avec 'carraghenane' : on prefere largement un yaourt nature sans gelifiants.
huile de palme
Palm oil is a vegetable fat with 50 percent saturated fatty acids. Contested for environmental and nutritional reasons. Allowed in infant formula to mimic breastmilk lipid profile, but many brands now use structured palm or coconut oil instead.
Example : Un lait 1er age avec 'huile de palme' en 2e position : pas interdit, mais des alternatives existent (OPO palm oil ou matieres grasses laitieres).
lecithine
E322 (lecithin) is a natural emulsifier mostly from soy or sunflower. Blends water and fats. EFSA confirms safety. In infant milk or biscuits, lecithin is neutral (unlike synthetic emulsifiers).
Example : Un lait infantile avec 'lecithine de tournesol' en fin de liste : aucun drapeau rouge.
maltodextrine
Maltodextrin is an industrial sugar derived from starch hydrolysis (corn, wheat, potato). Higher glycemic index than table sugar. Used as thickener and shelf-life extender. Controversial in baby foods because it trains a sweet palate without nutritional benefit.
Example : Une gourde bebe aux fruits qui annonce 'sans sucres ajoutes' mais contient 'maltodextrine de mais' en 3e ingredient : c'est un sucre cache.
sirop de glucose
Glucose syrup is a liquid industrial sugar from starch. Less sweet than sucrose but with a high glycemic index. Common in baby biscuits, infant cereals, and industrial compotes. ANSES advises avoiding added sugars before age 3.
Example : Un biscuit bebe qui liste 'sirop de glucose' ou 'sirop de glucose-fructose' dans les 3 premiers ingredients : verdict E chez BébéDécrypte.
Allergens
allergene
An allergen is a substance triggering an abnormal immune response. EU Regulation 1169/2011 mandates declaring 14 major allergens. Pediatricians now recommend early introduction (4-6 months) to reduce allergy risk.
Example : Un biscuit bebe contient 'blé, oeufs, lait' : trois allergenes majeurs a integrer progressivement avec prudence la premiere fois.
aplv
CMPA (cow's milk protein allergy) affects 2 to 3 percent of infants. Symptoms include eczema, digestive issues, sometimes severe reactions. Requires an extensively hydrolysed formula or rice-based formula on prescription.
Example : Un bebe avec APLV ne tolere ni lait infantile standard, ni lait de chevre ou brebis (proteines croisees). Seuls les hydrolysats pousses ou aminoacides sont surs.
traces allergenes
The 'may contain traces of' disclaimer flags possible cross-contamination on shared production lines. Not legally mandatory but protects the manufacturer. For confirmed-allergy babies, avoid these products.
Example : Un biscuit bebe sans oeuf mais 'peut contenir des traces d'oeuf' : safe pour un bebe normal, a eviter pour un bebe allergique a l'oeuf.
Labels & certifications
ab bio
The French AB label aligns with EU organic regulation : bans synthetic pesticides, limits additives (47 allowed vs 300 conventional), requires 95 percent organic ingredients. Good on baby food, but doesn't address added sugar or processing level.
Example : Une gourde bio AB peut quand meme contenir du sucre de canne bio ajoute : bio ne signifie pas sain par defaut.
demeter
Demeter is the strictest international biodynamic certification, beyond organic AB : crop rotation, biodynamic preparations, lunar cycles respect. On baby food, Demeter signals top-tier organic sincerity and higher nutritional quality.
Example : Un petit pot Holle ou Lemke portant Demeter : bio pousse au maximum, traces de pesticides quasi indetectables.
eu bio
The EU green leaf is the mandatory EU organic logo since 2010. Rules are harmonized across member states (Regulation 2018/848). On baby food, equivalent to the French AB label.
Example : Un lait infantile allemand vendu en France portera l'Eurofeuille et souvent AB en co-label : les deux signifient la meme chose.
Infant formulas
lait 1er age
Stage 1 formula is designed for 0-6 month infants as the only safe alternative to breastmilk. Composition is tightly regulated by EU Regulation 2016/127 specifying protein, lipid, carbohydrate, iron, and vitamin ranges.
Example : Un lait 1er age en poudre se reconstitue avec de l'eau a 40 degres (1 mesure pour 30 ml). Jamais de lait de vache avant 12 mois : trop de proteines pour les reins.
lait 2e age
Stage 2 follow-on formula for 6-12 month infants (sometimes continued to 3 years as growth milk). Enriched in iron and essential fatty acids because complementary feeding only partially covers needs.
Example : Un bebe de 8 mois qui mange varie recoit 500 ml de lait 2e age par jour + ses repas solides.
lait 3e age
Stage 3 growth milk is aimed at 1-3 year-olds. Not mandatory : a varied diet combined with whole cow's milk after 12 months is acceptable. Growth milk does provide more iron and less excess protein.
Example : Un enfant de 18 mois peut boire du lait de croissance ou du lait de vache entier : la difference pese surtout sur l'apport en fer.
Nutrition & scoring
anses
ANSES is the French food safety agency publishing official nutritional guidelines, contaminant limits, and additive risk assessments. Their advice is the baseline for French infant-nutrition regulation.
Example : L'ANSES a fixe en 2019 les reperes de diversification alimentaire bebe : introduction progressive entre 4 et 6 mois, allergenes precoces possibles.
diversification alimentaire
Complementary feeding is the gradual introduction of solid foods between 4 and 6 months as recommended by ANSES and ESPGHAN. Earlier is digestively risky, later increases allergy risk. Introducing allergens (peanut, egg) early is now encouraged.
Example : A 4 mois : purees lisses de legumes, une cuillere. A 6 mois : viandes, poisson, oeuf, arachide sous forme lisse. A 9 mois : petits morceaux.
efsa
The European Food Safety Authority sets EU-wide food safety limits : acceptable daily intakes for additives, pesticide residue caps, and infant nutrition reference values. Its scientific opinions are binding for baby-food manufacturers sold in the EU.
Example : L'EFSA a abaisse la DJA de l'aspartame et reevalue regulierement la securite des additifs E.
espghan
ESPGHAN is the European pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition society whose guidelines on complementary feeding, infant formula composition, and allergy prevention are the clinical benchmark across Europe.
Example : L'ESPGHAN recommande depuis 2017 l'introduction des allergenes (arachide, oeuf) entre 4 et 6 mois pour prevenir les allergies.
microbiote
The microbiome is the ecosystem of billions of gut bacteria. It develops from birth to age 3 and shapes lifelong immunity, digestion, and allergy risk. Breastfeeding, vaginal delivery, and a varied diet build a richer microbiome.
Example : Un bebe allaite avec une diversification variee (legumes, fibres, cereales complete) a un microbiote plus diversifie qu'un bebe biberon nourri uniquement aux compotes industrielles.
nova
NOVA is a food classification that groups foods by processing level from 1 (unprocessed) to 4 (ultra-processed). The higher the NOVA score, the more industrial additives, cosmetic ingredients, and hidden sugars a product contains.
Example : Une puree de carotte bio sans sucre ajoute = NOVA 1. Un biscuit bebe aux cereales avec sirop de glucose, huile de palme et aromes = NOVA 4.
nutri-score
Nutri-Score is the French front-of-pack nutrition label ranking foods from A (green, best) to E (red, worst). Attention : NON applicable aux aliments specifiquement destines aux enfants de moins de 36 mois (exclus par l'ANSES 2017) car les besoins nutritionnels des bebes sont specifiques.
Example : Un yaourt nature adulte = A. Une compote sucree generaliste = C ou D. Sur un petit pot bebe, le Nutri-Score n'apparait pas, c'est voulu : il n'est pas calibre pour les tout-petits.
prebiotique
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres (GOS, FOS, inulin) feeding good gut bacteria. Naturally present in breastmilk (HMO). Added to some infant formulas to mimic breastmilk's effect.
Example : Un lait 1er age qui mentionne 'GOS/FOS' ou 'HMO' : il imite la composition prebiotique du lait maternel.
probiotique
Probiotics are live microorganisms (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) delivering health benefits at adequate doses. ESPGHAN 2023 finds limited evidence for benefits in standard infant formula despite their frequent addition.
Example : Un lait infantile avec 'Bifidus BL' : probable effet marginal positif sur le transit, pas un deal-breaker dans ton choix.
sucre ajoute
Added sugar is any sweetener added during manufacturing (sucrose, glucose syrup, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, maltodextrin) not naturally present in base ingredients. WHO and ANSES both recommend zero added sugar before age 2.
Example : Une compote 'pomme + concentre de pomme' contient du sucre ajoute deguise : le concentre est pur sucre, pas du fruit entier.
Safety & recalls
botulisme infantile
Infant botulism is a rare but serious infection caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin in babies under 1 year (immature gut flora). Main source : honey. Honey is therefore banned before 12 months. Symptoms include constipation, hypotonia, poor feeding.
Example : Un bebe de 8 mois ne doit jamais manger de miel, meme une cuillere 'pour la toux'. Les parents ignorent souvent cette regle : 20% des cas francais viennent de miel donne trop tot.
rappelconso
RappelConso is the French government's official consumer-product recall database, flagging contaminated batches, undeclared allergens, and foreign bodies. We monitor baby-food recalls daily.
Example : En 2022, plusieurs lots de laits infantiles Lactalis ont ete rappeles sur RappelConso pour contamination Salmonella.
Want to go deeper?
Our public methodology shows how these terms combine into a deterministic, reproducible A to E grade on every product.