Once Upon a Farm is a company that makes organic baby food pouches and snacks. Many parents want to know if Once Upon a Farm products are dairy-free, especially if their child has a dairy allergy or intolerance. Below we will dive into the ingredients, manufacturing practices, and certifications to determine if Once Upon a Farm products are dairy-free.
Are Once Upon a Farm products dairy-free?
The short answer is no, not all Once Upon a Farm products are dairy-free. However, Once Upon a Farm does offer some dairy-free varieties and options.
When reviewing the Once Upon a Farm product line, it’s important to check each individual product’s ingredients list to determine if it contains milk or milk-derivatives. Once Upon a Farm uses real, whole foods in their products, so ingredients will vary based on the recipe.
Some Once Upon a Farm varieties like their veggie pouches are dairy-free, while other varieties like their yogurt melts contain milk or milk powder. Once Upon a Farm clearly labels allergens on their packaging, so dairy is called out if present.
Ingredients analysis
Analyzing the ingredients lists of Once Upon a Farm’s products shows which items are dairy-free and which contain milk or milk derivatives:
Dairy-free Once Upon a Farm products
– Veggie puree pouches – ingredients are vegetables, fruits, spices and water
– Fruit puree pouches – ingredients are fruits, vegetables, spices and water
– Oatmeal cereal – ingredients are oats, cinnamon, fruits and vegetable purees
Once Upon a Farm products containing dairy
– Yogurt melts – contain milk and milk powder
– Toddler Formula – contains milk and whey protein
So in summary, Once Upon a Farm’s veggie, fruit, and oatmeal puree pouches are dairy-free, while their yogurt melts and toddler formula contain dairy.
Manufacturing process
Once Upon a Farm has shared that their pouches and purees are produced on designated dairy-free production lines. However, their facilities are not entirely dairy-free.
This means that while precautions are taken, there is a small risk of cross-contamination from dairy during the production process. Parents of children with severe dairy allergies may want to reach out to Once Upon a Farm directly for the most up-to-date information.
Certifications
Once Upon a Farm products are Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. However, they do not currently have any dairy-free certifications.
So while some varieties are dairy-free based on their ingredients, the brand doesn’t have an official certification for being a dairy-free facility.
Conclusion
While not all Once Upon a Farm products are dairy-free, they do offer variety for children avoiding dairy. Their vegetable, fruit, and oatmeal puree pouches are free of milk and milk derivatives. However, their yogurt melts and toddler formula do contain dairy.
When choosing Once Upon a Farm products, it’s important to read the ingredients list and nutritional information for each variety. For children with severe dairy allergies, parents may want to reach out to the company directly as their facilities are not 100% dairy-free.
Overall, Once Upon a Farm tries to cater to diverse dietary needs with both dairy and dairy-free options available. Checking the ingredients lists and selecting their plant-based pouches allows children to enjoy these organic baby foods without concern over dairy exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of Once Upon a Farm products are dairy-free?
Once Upon a Farm’s veggie, fruit, and oatmeal puree pouches are dairy-free. Their yogurt melts and toddler formula contain dairy.
Does Once Upon a Farm have any dairy-free certifications?
No, Once Upon a Farm does not currently have any official dairy-free certifications. Their products are Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified though.
Are Once Upon a Farm facilities 100% dairy-free?
No, while they use dedicated dairy-free production lines, their facilities are not entirely dairy-free. Cross-contamination could occur but is unlikely.
Can children with dairy allergies eat Once Upon a Farm products?
Some Once Upon a Farm products are safe for children with dairy allergies. But always check ingredients lists and with a doctor, especially for severe dairy allergies.
Does Once Upon a Farm label potential dairy allergens?
Yes, Once Upon a Farm properly labels if any dairy is present in their ingredients lists according to FDA guidelines.
In summary
– Once Upon a Farm vegetable, fruit, and oatmeal pouches are dairy-free
– Yogurt melts and toddler formula contain dairy
– No official dairy-free facility certification
– Some risk of cross-contamination as facilities not 100% dairy-free
– Always read ingredients lists and check with doctor for dairy allergy safety
Related questions
Here are some related questions about dairy and allergies when using Once Upon a Farm products:
Are Once Upon a Farm products nut-free?
Most Once Upon a Farm products are free of tree nuts. However, some varieties contain coconut. Always check the ingredients lists for coconut or any nut allergens.
Are Once Upon a Farm products soy-free?
Yes, all Once Upon a Farm products are soy-free according to their website. They do not use soy ingredients.
Are Once Upon a Farm pouches gluten-free?
Most Once Upon a Farm purees are gluten-free, but some varieties contain barley, wheat, or oats. Check the ingredients lists and nutrition info for gluten details.
Can babies with food intolerances eat Once Upon a Farm?
It depends on the specific intolerance. Once Upon a Farm may be an option if avoiding the right ingredients. Check with your pediatrician for guidance.
Does Once Upon a Farm use high pressure processing?
No, Once Upon a Farm uses a gentle pasteurization process to keep nutrients intact but products safe. High pressure processing is not used.
Table comparing dairy in Once Upon a Farm products
| Once Upon a Farm Product Line | Contains Dairy |
|---|---|
| Veggie Puree Pouches | No |
| Fruit Puree Pouches | No |
| Oatmeal Cereal | No |
| Yogurt Melts | Yes |
| Toddler Formula | Yes |
This table summarizes which Once Upon a Farm product lines contain dairy and highlights that the veggie, fruit, and oatmeal pouches are dairy-free. The yogurt melts and toddler formula contain milk.
The importance of reading ingredients lists
When deciding if a Once Upon a Farm product is dairy-free or not, the ingredients list provides all the details needed. Reading the ingredient deck on each pouch or package is crucial for identifying dairy components.
Milk, yogurt, whey, cheese, and milk powder are all examples of ingredients that make a product not dairy-free. Once Upon a Farm properly labels these and any other major allergens present according to FDA guidelines.
If an ingredients list only contains fruits, vegetables, grains, spices, and water, then that Once Upon a Farm item will be dairy-free. Being an educated and informed consumer by reading ingredient labels is key for avoiding dairy.
Contacting Once Upon a Farm
If you have any additional questions about dairy ingredients or potential cross-contamination in Once Upon a Farm’s products, you can contact their team:
Phone: 1-844-633-5437
Email: [email protected]
The customer service team at Once Upon a Farm is always willing to answer individual questions and concerns to help you find the right products for your child’s needs. Do not hesitate to reach out to them directly for the most accurate information.
Choosing the best baby foods when avoiding dairy
Once Upon a Farm makes a great option for babies and toddlers with dairy allergies or intolerances thanks to their dairy-free puree pouch flavors. But there are also other great dairy-free brands to have on your radar.
Here are a few top dairy-free baby food brands:
– Plum Organics – dairy-free purees and snacks
– Happy Baby – dairy-free pouches
– Amara Organics – dairy-free baby cereals
– Baby Gourmet – dairy-free squeezable pouches
– Gerber – some dairy-free rice, fruit, and veggie varieties
Always confirm ingredients and manufacturing practices when choosing safe foods for your child. Many mainstream baby food brands today offer dairy-free options.
Making your own dairy-free baby food
Beyond buying pre-made dairy-free baby foods, many parents also opt to make their own at home. Steaming and pureeing your own fruits, veggies, cereals, and meats is an easy way to control ingredients.
When making your own baby food, keep it simple. Focus on single ingredient foods or simple combinations to start. Watch out for hiding allergens in pre-made mixtures.
Here are some easy homemade dairy-free baby foods to try:
– Applesauce – pureed apples
– Carrot puree – steamed and pureed carrots
– Pea puree – steamed and pureed peas
– Banana oatmeal – mashed banana with oats and water
– Avocado mash – mashed avocado with water
– Meat purees – ground chicken, beef, lamb or pork
Homemade baby food is affordable, customizable and lets you control what goes into your baby’s meals. Dairy-free cooking just takes attention to ingredients.
Transitioning from dairy-free foods
Many babies and young toddlers start on a dairy-free diet due to milk allergies or colic symptoms. As their digestive system matures, some children are eventually able to tolerate small amounts of dairy.
When thinking about reintroducing dairy after avoiding it, take things slow and watch for reactions:
– Consult doctor first before trying dairy again
– Introduce trace amounts of yogurt, cheese or formula at first
– Try one new dairy food at a time watching for 2-3 days
– Limit quantity and frequency when first adding back dairy
– Stop immediately if negative reaction and contact doctor
With patience and supervision, many young children can transition to eating moderate amounts of dairy foods after avoiding them early on. Work closely with your pediatrician when making changes.
Supplementing nutrition when dairy-free
Since dairy products are a major source of dietary calcium and vitamin D, avoiding them long-term means finding other ways to get these nutrients.
Here are good food sources of calcium and vitamin D for babies not eating dairy:
– Fortified cereals, juices and plant-based milks
– Green vegetables like broccoli, kale and spinach
– Nuts, seeds and legumes
– Soy-based yogurts and puddings
– Fish with edible bones
– Sunlight for vitamin D
Discuss supplementing with a multivitamin, vitamin D, or calcium with your pediatrician if concerned about deficiency. A blood nutrient panel test can also identify any gaps.
Conclusion
Once Upon a Farm offers great organic baby food options, with some being dairy-free. Always carefully read ingredient labels, ask questions and work with your doctor for managing dairy allergies. With care and attention, Once Upon a Farm can be part of a healthy, dairy-free diet.
