1. Annabel Karmel Cheese and onion rice and corn snacks suitable from 12 months
We rated these 8/10
At 37p per 20g packet these really were value for money. Each rice cake had full flavour of cheese and onion and did not taste salty, my children loved these!! Annabel Karmel also has a range of wholesome toddler snacks on the market so look out for them including banana fruit crisps, peach flavoured raisins and apple and cinnamon biscuits.
http://www.annabelkarmel.com/disney/index.html
Ingredients: Rice (59%), corn (25%), cheese and onion flavouring (natural flavourings, cane sugar, salt, dried palm fat (contains milk proteins, glucose syrup), anti caking agent: E551*, paprika (extract), sunflower oil.
* E551 is also known as silicium dioxide and is mainly used in dry products originated from sand!
"We say no to artificial colours, flavours and preservatives"
Calories (energy) per pack - 78Kcal
Fat per pack - 1.9g, 0.2g of which is saturated fat (bad fat)
Salt per pack - 0.09g
Sugar per pack - 0.3g
2. Plum Multigrain and cheddar crispy rings, suitable from 12 months
These cost 60p for a 20g packet which I felt was too expensive for what the product is. The taste was extremely bland and flavourless, there wasnt any cheese flavour apparent but on a more positive note they also didnt taste salty or sugary.
Plum also do an extensive range of baby and toddler snacks including spelt, tomato and herb breadsticks, orange and ginger oaty rounds and savoury parmesan baky bites. They also have a range of breakfast, dinner, dessert and sauces available.
http://www.plum-baby.co.uk/home-2/
Ingredients: Organic corn 66%, organic sunflower oil 10%, organic Gouda cheese powder 7%, organic cheddar cheese powder 5%, organic quinoa 4%, organic rice 4%
They claim also to contain NO: added salt, added refined sugar, hydrogenated fats, artificial flavours, artificial colours, preservatives, egg or gluten
"Natural Organic Ingredients" - this is most definately adhered to and so could be reflected in the price
Calories (energy) per packet - 84Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 1.3g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - 0.02g
Sugar per packet - 0.8g (packaging states that only naturally occurring sugars are used)
3. Goodies Organic Cheese and Herb Puffs, suitable for over 12 months
We rated these 6/10
They cost 54p per 15g packet. They tasted full flavoured, not salty or sugary they had a substantial cheese and herb flavour with visible herbs on the puffs. Even though the packet is only 15g, there was alot crammed in!! Organix Goodies also offer organic gingerbread men, organic apple and raspberry soft oaty bars and organic squeezy fruit purees.
http://www.organix.com/goodies
Ingredients: Organic corn 73%, organic sunflower oil 15%, organic cheese powder 12% (50% organic mature cheddar cheese, 50% organic skimmed milk powder), organic dried parsley less than 1%, Thiamin* (vitamin b1) less than 1%
* thiamin is not certified as organic although is an essential nutrient for growing children
"No Junk Promise" - NO added salt, NO artificial colours or flavours, NO MSG
Calories (energy) per packet - 69Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.3g, 0.4 of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
4. Organix Finger Foods Organic Carrot Sticks, suitable from 7 months
We rated these 9/10
These cost 56p for a 20g packet.
These are large chunky (easy to hold for younger toddlers), soft and very flavoursome. They have a sweetness but no salty taste and although not tasting exactly like carrot, they do taste very agreeable! The only let down is the orange colour which when gummed upon can get all over clothes, faces and fingers and temporarily stains! They also have many more organic products in their range including no junk promise jars offering a wide range of tastes and textures.
http://www.organix.com/
Ingredients: Organic corn 72%, organic carrot powder 14%, organic sunflower oil 13%, Thiamin (vit b1) less than 1%
"No Junk Promise" "Simple and Interactive"
Calories (energy) per packet - 21 Kcal
Fat per packet - 0.5g, 0.1g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
5. Kiddylicious fruit snacks: Apple crisps, Banana Bites and Pineapple Snacks, suitable from 12 months
They cost 59p per 12g packet
These are very crunchy and dissolve really easily in the mouth, they are sweet with a slight strange fried taste. The packaging claims that there is a whole apple inside and is 1 of you 5 a-day. Kiddylicious are relatively new to the market but do offer an increasing range, have a look at their website for more information.
http://babylicious.co.uk/our-products
Ingredients: Fresh apple slices 79%, vegetable oil, a sprinkle of maltose (a natural sugar)
"NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 51Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.4g, 0.5g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 6.3g
The Pineapple Snacks we rated 4/10
These cost 59p per a 12g packet
They tasted very crunchy and dissolved well but had a greasy and sour taste, my son said that they made his tongue itch!!
Ingredients: Fresh pineapple slices 77%, vegetable oil, sprinkle of maltose (natural sugar)
"whole portion of fruit inside" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 53Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.7g, 0.4g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 5.8g
We rated the Banana Bites 4/10
These cost 59p per 12g packet
These did resemble banana slices and tasted very sweet and concentrated, there was again a slight greasy taste and left a greasy aftertaste in the mouth, they were very crunchy and dissolved easily.
Ingredients: Fresh banana slices 78%, vegetable oil
" There's one very large banana in this bag" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 65Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 0.6g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 7.4g
SUMMARY
In summary the fruit snacks did not prove popular, they had no organic label and was not a particulary good substitute for real fruit pieces mainly because of the addition of vegetable oil, that said they do easily dissolve for a young child and so less risk of choking. The savoury snacks were much popluar, especially the organix brand. These clearly labelled all the organic ingredients and do not contain any junk, they also are good value for money considering the organic labelling. The Annabel Karmel snacks were also popular although did not promise an organic snack and as such did contain E551 which none of the other products did. The least popular was the Plum-Baby multigrain and cheddar crispy rings not because of the good quality ingredients but mainly due to a lack in flavour and taste. However, do try all the other products available from all these ranges and see what you think!!
