Study reveals many grocery store baby foods fail to meet nutritional standards
As parents, we entrust grocery stores to provide us with safe, nutritious options for our little ones.
However, a recent study has uncovered a disturbing reality – a staggering 60% of baby food products sold in US supermarkets fail to meet the nutritional guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The study, published in the journal “Nutrients”, analysed over 650 infant and toddler food products across 10 major grocery store chains.
The findings were nothing short of alarming. Seventy percent of the products did not meet protein requirements, while 25% failed to meet calorie recommendations.
Even more concerning, 44% of the products exceeded the WHO's sugar recommendations, and a quarter contained added or hidden sweeteners.
These substandard nutritional profiles are troubling given that proper nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential for physical growth, cognitive development, and the establishment of healthy eating habits.
The prevalence of sugar-laden, nutrient-poor baby foods not only fails to support these vital needs but may also contribute to the rising rates of childhood obesity and other diet-related health issues.
Moreover, the study uncovered a concerning trend of misleading marketing claims on baby food packaging.
Nearly all the products (99.4%) contained at least one claim that violated the WHO's recommendations, such as “non-GMO” or “organic”, which may mislead parents into believing the products are more nutritious than they truly are.
This lack of transparency in the industry only compounds the challenge for caregivers seeking to make informed, healthy choices for their children.
Dr Ellie Erickson, a paediatrician at Duke University, shared her insights on the study in an interview with CBS News.
“What they seem to be showing is that most of the processed baby foods that are sold in grocery stores contain very processed ingredients, high levels of salt, sugar, and fat,” Erickson said.
The first 1 000 days of life are a critical stage in a child’s development. According to the study’s authors, proper nutrition during this period is vital as it influences not only healthy growth but also the formation of eating habits that can last into adulthood.
“Early childhood is a crucial period of rapid growth and when taste preferences and dietary habits form, potentially paving the way for the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and some cancers later in life," Erickson said.
Both the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the WHO have published nutritional recommendations for early childhood.
They advocate exclusive breastfeeding until the infant is 6 months old, followed by the introduction of solid foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years.
The guidelines also advise against feeding infants foods high in added sugars and sodium. However, the study pointed out that the diets of many infants and toddlers in the US and around the world do not meet these recommendations.
Among the 651 items sampled in the study, 308 were pouched food and 25.7% were ready-to-eat jars, tubs, and containers.
The results showed that almost 60% of the commercial infant and toddler foods failed to meet nutritional composition standards and no products met the promotional standards recommended in the nutrient and promotion profile model (NPPM).
The study’s authors noted that the sugar and protein content provided in the foods, often available in snack-size packs, failed to meet these standards.
These snacks include fruit bars and cereal bars. Additionally, the study found an average of 11 misleading claims per pack, displayed on the product packaging.
“Time-poor parents are increasingly choosing convenience foods, unaware that many of these products lack key nutrients needed for their child's development and tricked into believing they are healthier than they really are,” Erickson said in the interview.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children need vitamin D, iron and zinc, found in a variety of foods, to support healthy development.
“It doesn't have to be rocket science to make food for your baby. Simple, whole foods are going to be fine,” said Erickson.