Parents just starting weaning
You want to distinguish between an ingredient added to a meal and the milk that remains the foundation of your child’s diet, as ameli reminds us.
Who is this choice for?
Families helping their child become more independent at mealtimes
You’re preparing dishes for your child to discover gradually, with textures suited to their abilities rather than choosing a product marketed specifically for independent eating. Santé publique France and 1000 premiers jours describe this gradual progression through different textures.
Anyone mindful of milk allergens
You need to identify the ingredients in the product you’re serving, particularly if a milk allergy has been diagnosed or you’re sharing a meal. The DGCCRF reminds us that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.
What should you check before buying?
For a weaning meal, first check whether the recipe calls for crème fraîche or grated cheese. Then consider the texture of the dish you’ll serve and check the label of the product you choose.
Crème fraîche
Consider it : as an ingredient stirred into a dish with a texture that’s right for your child.
Bear in mind : it’s not pre-grated cheese, nor is it, in this form, a food to pick up and eat.
Grated cheese
Consider it : if the recipe calls for cheese to be melted into a dish. Manger Bouger suggests adding a little grated Emmental to purée and melting it in.
Bear in mind : this example doesn’t refer to dry strands of cheese served as they are.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture when served | Check the texture of the dish once prepared and how the ingredient is incorporated. | When my child is discovering new textures, I want the dish I serve to suit their abilities. Around 29% of consumers put this adaptation first. |
| Milk and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check how the milk allergen is highlighted on the exact product you’re buying. | If I’m preparing a meal for a child with a diagnosed allergy or for a group, I need to identify clearly what the product contains. This check is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Crème fraîche ingredients | Compare the ingredients lists and fat content of the crème fraîche options you’re considering for the recipe. | If a recipe calls for a particular type of crème fraîche, I don’t want to mistake full-fat crème fraîche for a different formulation. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this distinction. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a size that suits how you plan to use it, and read the storage instructions for the product after opening. | If I use crème fraîche more than once, I look for a pack size I can use in line with the instructions on its packaging. Pack size and storage come first for around 24% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing crème fraîche with pre-grated cheese
They’re two different categories with different culinary uses. The example from Manger Bouger is grated Emmental melted into purée, not crème fraîche.
Check what the recipe calls for before choosing a product, then consider the final texture of the dish.
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Mistaking lighter crème fraîche for full-fat crème fraîche
Carrefour Classic’ and Delisse product listings describe full-fat crème fraîche with 30% fat. Eco+ crème fraîche from E.Leclerc is listed at 15% and also contains modified maize starch, so the fat content and ingredients differ.
Compare both of these details on the products you’re considering rather than relying on the word ‘light’ alone.
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Assuming that every child can have dairy products
Crème fraîche and cheese can contain the milk allergen. The texture you serve should also be suited to your child’s abilities.
Read the label every time you buy. If your child has been diagnosed with a milk allergy, follow the advice of the healthcare professional supporting them.
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Choosing a large pack without checking how to store it
Storage instructions after opening vary by product. Président says its thick crème fraîche, 25% fat, in a pouch keeps for up to 15 days after opening; this doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
Choose a pack size that suits how you’ll use it and follow the instructions on the packaging you buy.
A pack that can’t be used in line with the stated instructions may go to waste.
Crème fraîche brands to know
These products illustrate differences in ingredients and packaging. Always check the label of the specific product you plan to use.
Elle & Vire
Elle & Vire offers, among other products, thick full-fat crème fraîche from Normandy in a pouch.
- For this product, the brand lists full-fat crème fraîche from Normandy and lactic cultures, with 30 g of fat per 100 g.
- These details apply to this product, not to every Elle & Vire product.
Président
The range includes thick crème fraîche with 25% fat in a 30 cl pouch.
- For this pouch, Président says the product keeps for up to 15 days after opening when stored as directed.
- Check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the packaging of the product you buy.
Carrefour Classic’
Carrefour offers thick full-fat crème fraîche in a 50 cl tub.
- The product listing states that it contains 30% fat, pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures.
- Check the information on the tub you choose, including the storage instructions.
Delisse / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc lists thick crème fraîche with 30% fat in a 50 cl pack.
- The product listing states that it contains pasteurised crème fraîche, pasteurised skimmed milk and lactic cultures, with 30.1 g of fat per 100 g.
- The ingredients and nutritional values quoted apply to this Delisse product; they don’t describe the entire range.
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Frequently asked questions
Can crème fraîche replace milk during weaning?
No. Crème fraîche is a cooking ingredient, not a substitute for milk. Ameli reminds us that milk remains the foundation of a child’s diet during weaning.
Does ‘pre-grated’ mean crème fraîche?
No. The term refers to a product that has already been grated, such as grated cheese. If you’re following the example from Manger Bouger, it means adding a little grated Emmental to purée and melting it in, not using crème fraîche.
How do you choose the texture of a dish containing crème fraîche or cheese?
Think about the texture of the dish as it will be served, rather than the texture of the ingredient before cooking or mixing. Santé publique France and 1000 premiers jours describe a gradual introduction to different textures, adapted to your child’s abilities.
What should you do if a milk allergy has been diagnosed?
Don’t choose a different crème fraîche or cheese as a replacement without following the advice of the healthcare professional supporting your child. Check the ingredients and allergen information on every product. The DGCCRF reminds us that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.