by Whether it’s high sodium, too much sugar or misleading labels, nearly 60 percent of baby and toddler foods sold in the United States aren’t as nutritious as they seem, according to a new study.
Published on 21 August i Nutrientsthe research found that most of these products do not meet the nutritional guidelines and recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Of the 651 products analysed, 70 per cent did not meet the protein requirements, and 44 per cent exceeded the recommended sugar levels. One in four products fell short of calorie requirements and one in five exceeded recommended sodium limits, the study said.
The names and brands of the foods in the study were not disclosed, but the senior author, Elizabeth Dunford, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, told Global News that some of the products they looked at were sold. Canadian grocery stories, too.
“You have some of the same brands. I am assuming that Canada is more closely associated with the US than any other country that has been labeled,” she said.
Labeling and nutrition are critical, Dunford argued, because early childhood is a critical period of rapid growth when taste preferences and dietary habits are established. These early choices can pave the way for chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and even some cancers later in life, she said.
“Time-poor parents are increasingly opting for convenience foods, unaware that many of these products lack vital nutrients needed for their child’s development and believe they are more healthier than they really are,” she said.
The researchers argue that despite US health guidelines that advise against feeding infants foods with added sugars and high sodium, infants and young children around the world – including in America – often do not meet the these recommendations.
In Canada, foods for infants and young children are regulated under the The Safe Food for Canada Actrequiring companies to properly label the nutritional content of their products, including calories, sodium and sugar levels.
Foods for infants aged six to twelve months are subject to maximum sodium levels; however, other nutritional guidelines, such as those for sugar and fat, are only recommended by Canada’s Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants guidelines.
But the problem with recommendations is that there is no benchmark for what is allowed in products, Dunford said.
“There’s certainly no limit, and one of the things I’d like to see is that these products don’t meet some health performance standard, like sodium limits….if a product doesn’t meet that benchmark, then that product can’t to demand the product,” she said.
She explained that many companies put “noise claims” on their packaging, such as “no sugar added,” to create a misleading impression of health. These claims add to what experts call a “health halo” around these baby food products.
For example, she said labels such as “no sugar added” or “organic” can create the impression that the product is nutritious overall, even if it may still be high in other unhealthy ingredients such as sodium or salty.
Baby food rules are the ‘Wild West’
The researchers looked at the nutritional content and promotion of foods for infants and children (ages six to 36 months) from the top 10 grocery store chains in the United States in 2023. The stores included: Walmart , Kroger, Costco, Ahold Delhaize, Publix, Sam’s Club, Target and Aldi.
Infant formulas, fortified milk and oral electrolytes were not included because the US Food and Drug Administration regulates these products separately.
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The products were evaluated against the requirements of the WHO Nutrition and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM). Dunford explained that this guideline was chosen because the WHO sets high and healthy standards for formula milk for babies and infants, which she noticed is often lacking in many countries.
“When it comes to baby food regulation it’s part of the Wild West,” Dunford said, adding that nutritional claims cannot be checked without proper regulation.
Of the 651 products examined, the study found that 60 percent failed to meet the nutritional requirements of the NPPM, and none met the promotion requirements. Almost 100 per cent of products banned under the NPPM had at least one package claim, with some products displaying up to 11 banned claims. The snack-sized packages met the least nutritional requirements.
The lowest compliance among all products was found for “protein content” (29 percent) and the highest for “total fat” (92.7 percent).
Only 55 percent of products met the total sugar recommendations, with “dry or semi-dry snacks and finger foods” least compliant.
Although the WHO’s baby food guidelines state that age labels should state age in years or months, many products imply age through vague descriptions such as “onion,” “crawling baby,” or “toddler,” said the researchers.
Fruit pouches: use with care
The researchers also found that baby food pouches are the fastest growing segment of the market, with sales increasing by 900 percent over the past 13 years.
Pouches were among the least healthy products assessed, with less than seven per cent meeting the total sugar recommendations.
Andrea Carpenter, registered dietitian and owner of NutriKidz in Toronto, noted that fruit pouches are primarily marketed as convenience.
“Parents are busy and we are looking for shortcuts as parents. And it’s a shame that we can’t always rely on products that are perhaps specifically aimed at children. One of my biggest concerns about pouches is the potential for them to become a staple in an infant’s diet,” she said.
Although fruit pouches are perfectly moderate, Carpenter warned that they are often high in sugar and can prevent a child from learning essential skills such as chewing, biting and swallowing. Introducing a variety of textures into an infant’s diet is critical to their development, she said.
As for the amount of sugar recommended, she said Canada does not have concrete guidelines.
“The recommendation is to avoid it and keep it to a minimum in children under two. So we want to keep the added sugars as low as possible,” she said.
While Dunford doesn’t expect changes to infant and toddler food regulations anytime soon, she believes these findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers. In the meantime, she encourages parents to educate themselves about the nutrition labels on baby products.
Carpenter believes that grocery store baby foods, such as fruit pouches and rice crackers, can be perfectly balanced. However, she emphasizes the importance of being creative to ensure your child gets the right nutrition.
“If it’s more rice husks or if it’s like little star puffs, I think they can play a great role in practicing skills like their pincer sense,” she said.
“And it’s a great way to introduce some texture to kids who might be a little more anxious about feeding themselves. You can use those as a vehicle for other foods. So the rice roasts more, for example, making it more nutrient-dense [ingredients] like hummus or mashed avocado that food could be used in a more appropriate way to better nourish that child.”
She emphasized that minimizing sugar and sodium intake is an important tip for the first few years of a child’s life. When cooking at home, it is best to avoid too much salt or sugar.
Carpenter also recommended batch cooking to save time. She recommends making large batches of homemade baby food, then freezing it in small containers with the contents and ingredients.
“Try to include a wide variety of flavors and textures, and try to introduce your baby to the flavors and foods that your family likes. Because the ultimate aim or goal is that your baby will eventually eat while the rest of the family eats,” Carpenter said.
