The Wattie's - Plunket Baby Foods Story
Wattie’s and Plunket – Working Together for New Zealand Children
The names Wattie’s and Plunket, two well recognised brands that are as familiar to New Zealanders as pavlova and the All-Blacks. For most of us, the Plunket nurse measured our first few years of growth and development, and Wattie’s® Baby Food was a regular feature on our menu.
It was therefore no surprise when over eighteen years ago the two organisations formalised their relationship and launched the range of Wattie’s-Plunket baby foods. The joint venture has proved extremely beneficial to both organisations. But more importantly, New Zealand infants have gained from the partnership.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Plunket provides many volunteer-run services in communities around New Zealand - including parenting education, parent groups, toy libraries, car seat rentals and family centres. These services are provided in addition to the government-funded well child service through fundraising, grants and sponsorship - the annual royalty Plunket receives from Wattie’s® Baby Food contributes towards many of these additional services around New Zealand.
From Wattie’s perspective, Plunket’s input into product development is equally valued and welcomed. Plunket advises on suitable foods for each stage of baby’s development and Wattie’s baby foods are made to meet these needs based on the nutrition standards set by FSANZ.
When Plunket first associated its name with the Wattie’s Plunket range of baby foods in 1988, Plunket and Wattie’s sought advice from the country’s most reputable nutrition experts including Dr John Birkbeck.
Both Wattie’s and Plunket have a strong commitment to infant nutrition. This commitment combined with a desire to meet the changing needs of customers led to the establishment of the Infant Nutrition Advisory Group (INAG).
INAG is an independent group of experts in infant nutrition that advises Wattie’s on all issues relating to infant food and nutrition. INAG members are some of New Zealand’s foremost experts in child health and nutrition and includes Dr Winsome Parnell, Associate Professor Human Nutrition, Otago University; Angela Baldwin General Manager Quality and Development, Royal New Zealand Plunket Society; Mrs Barbara Dennison, Paediatric Dietitian, and Ms Sharon Pihema, Nutrition Advisor.
Wattie’s Plunket Baby Foods are eaten by thousands of New Zealand infants every year and Wattie’s has a responsibility to ensure its products are of the best possible quality. Plunket’s input is an important part of this.
