Veal

Veal may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. 

Veal refers to meat from young cattle and has been part of European cuisines for centuries, particularly in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. Traditionally valued for its pale color and mild flavor, various cuts of veal appear in dishes such as osso buco, vitello tonnato, and Wiener schnitzel.

• Choose cuts suited to slow cooking, such as shank or shoulder, and consider cooking veal with liquid to help soften the meat and keep it tender.

Yes. Veal can be firm and challenging to chew, which are qualities that pose an increased risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve veal in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

No. Veal is a form of beef, which is not a common food allergen, although reactions to beef have been reported.^{[1] [2]} Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in many red meats. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after the consumption of red meat, such as veal.^[1] However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues from mammals. Alpha gal allergy is more prevalent in the southeastern United States but is starting to become more common in other areas as the geographic distribution of the Lone Star tick expands. Note that studies suggest that in individuals with confirmed allergy to beef, a large percentage are also allergic to cow’s milk.^{[2] [3]}

Yes. Veal is a protein-rich food that provides the building blocks needed to fuel baby’s rapid growth. It is also filled with essential nutrients such as zinc, selenium, choline, and vitamins B6 and B12. Together, these nutrients work to develop taste perception, ensure healthy metabolism, support growth and development, and build a strong immune system. Plus, it offers some iron to promote healthy red blood cell development.

Always cook ground veal until the internal temperature has reached 160 F (71 C) as ground veal carries a high risk for foodborne illness from harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella when the meat is not cooked thoroughly.^{[4] [5]}

Veal is a kind of beef, typically from young male cattle.