There is a shortage of infant formula in the U.S. that has implications for the Canadian market. The shortage of infant formulas for infants with food allergies and certain medical conditions is of particular concern as there are fewer opportunities for formula substitutions.

A recently published systematic review builds on a previous review examining the evidence of the physical effects of energy drink consumption on children and adolescents.

A PEN System user recently reached out to the PEN Team to share their experience with parents of young children choosing high protein milk products for their children and questioned if this is good practice. The PEN Team thought a deeper dive into the possible merits or adverse effects of recommending high protein milk to clients would be useful to dietitians.

The American not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently published an updated 2024 Dirty Dozen, which lists the fruit and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides. The EWG maintains that children are most likely to be susceptible to pesticide exposure and related health consequences, which has led to the American Academy of Pediatrics listing the Dirty Dozen as a resource for information on pesticide residues in produce.

The PEN Team thought a deeper look into mislabelled dietary supplement products might be a topic of interest to practitioners whose clients are, or are considering, taking dietary supplements.

A U.S. report finds heavy metals in manufactured infant foods. Should we be concerned? Are heavy metals present in infant foods at unsafe levels? What should dietitians be advising parents to do? The PEN Team went looking for answers.

In a recent podcast, Dr. Jen Gunter describes the problems with the phrase “boosting the immune system” (1). The PEN Team wondered if the podcast concepts might be useful to dietitians when clients ask about “immune-boosting” foods and supplements.