60% of Store-Bought Baby Foods Are Unhealthy, Study Says

A George Institute for Global Health analysis found that a significant number of baby and toddler food products do not meet nutritional recommendations.

Commercial baby food is convenient, comes in a wide range of choices, and offers a solution for busy parents who are short on time. Since they contain fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, most people assume that store-bought baby foods are healthy, and contain all the nutrients growing infants need for optimal health.

However, according to a new study, that may not be true for a significant percentage of commercial baby and toddler foods.

The study, led by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health and published on August 21 in Nutrients, analyzed 651 infant and toddler food products found in 10 of the most popular grocery store chains in the United States.

Using data from The George Institute's FoodSwitch database, the investigators compared each product to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model, which identifies nutrient and promotional requirements of infant and toddler food products in the European Region.

The scientists said they used this model because there are no similar guidelines for these foods in the U.S.

Commercial baby food falls short

The analysis showed that 60% of the commercially available food failed to meet nutritional recommendations, and 70% did not meet requirements for protein.

Moreover, 44% of the baby and toddler foods examined contained sugar at levels that exceeded recommendations and one in five products exceeded recommended sodium limits.

The team also found that none of the products tested met WHO promotional requirements.

For example, nearly 100% of the products had at least one prohibited claim on the packaging, with some exhibiting up to 11 different claims. The most common forbidden claim found on the baby and toddler food products was "non genetically modified," followed by "organic," "no BPA," and "no artificial colors or flavors."

"We saw this not only in the use of misleading claims but also in the use of misleading names, where the product name did not reflect the main ingredients found on the ingredient list," said Dr. Daisy Coyle, a research fellow and dietitian at The George Institute. "For example, snack and finger foods often referred to fruit or vegetables in the product name, despite primarily being made of flour or other starches."

According to the study's authors, parents are choosing convenience foods at an increasing rate, unaware that many lack critical nutrients needed for their child's development.

Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, a research fellow at The George Institute and adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, said, "Our findings highlight the urgent need for better regulation and guidance in the infant and toddler foods market in the United States - the health of future generations depends on it."