Jarmageddon?
Sixty percent of infant and toddler foods sold in the US are not as nutritious as they might seem, according to a new study from the George Institute for Global Health.
The Australia-headquartered research group compared data on 651 commercial baby foods to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, finding that 70% failed to meet protein standards and 44% exceeded total sugar requirements.
“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,” said Elizabeth Dunford, a George Institute research fellow and University of North Carolina adjunct assistant professor.
WHO doesn’t want baby foods to have added sugars, including concentrated fruit juice, and supports sodium limits. Products that tout a protein on the front of the package should contain a certain amount of that protein, be it fish, poultry or meat.
While popular, pouches were among the unhealthiest products the George Institute assessed, with fewer than 7% meeting WHO’s total sugar recommendations.
Institute researchers also blasted baby food manufacturers for “misleading” marketing claims.
“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,” said Daisy Coyle, a George Institute research fellow and dietitian.
The researchers, whose findings were published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nutrients, are “urgently” calling for more US government regulation on infant and toddler foods. They noted our growing childhood obesity epidemic.
US lawmakers recently introduced the Baby Food Safety Act of 2024, which would empower the Food and Drug Administration to limit toxic heavy metals in commercial baby food.
The legislation follows several reports of contaminants like lead and arsenic making their way into food products for babies and toddlers. The FDA recalled fruit puree pouches last year after they were found to be tainted with lead, sickening dozens of kids.
