A recent study has found that about 60% of packaged baby food sold in the United States does not meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) nutritional standards. This research sheds light on the role of inadequate diets in children’s health.
Researchers from the George Institute for Global Health in Australia examined 651 commercial infant food products purchased from major U.S. grocery stores between March and May 2023. They used the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s 2022 nutrient and promotion profile as a benchmark.
The findings, published last week in the journal Nutrients, show that 70% of the products did not meet the WHO’s protein requirements, and 44% surpassed the total sugar limits. Although WHO standards are not legally binding, they provide guidelines for countries. In the U.S., nutrition guidelines emphasize fruits and vegetables. The study also revealed that 25% of products failed to meet calorie requirements, and 20% exceeded recommended sodium levels.
Experts are concerned about these nutritional deficiencies and the rising prevalence of ultra-processed foods among U.S. children.
Elizabeth Dunford, a study author and adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina’s Department of Nutrition, noted that dietary preferences are learned rather than innate. As children grow, their food choices are heavily influenced by their environment. Many foods marketed to U.S. children are high in sugar, fat, and preservatives while lacking essential nutrients. Dunford emphasized the issue of sugar, especially from squeezed pouches, which constitutes a significant portion of young children’s diets.
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), which represents manufacturers and major grocers, seeks guidance from the Food and Drug Administration on nutrition and labeling standards. FMI’s chief science officer, Hilary Thesmar, stated that its members employ nutrition experts to ensure products comply with federal regulations. Thesmar emphasized the importance of a varied diet for infants and toddlers to support healthy development.
However, some experts argue that the standards followed by FMI members may not always align with those set by professional health organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that sugar makes up 17% of a child’s diet on average, exceeding the recommended 10%.
Ultra-processed foods, popular since the 1980s, are often high in sugar, which enhances flavor, extends shelf life, and is cheaper than healthier alternatives. Nearly half of the foods analyzed in the study were in pouches, and 25% were in ready-to-eat containers.
Carolyn Kusenda, manager at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Pediatric Clinical Nutrition Center, highlighted the problem of additives in these foods. She noted that artificial colors and flavors can have negative side effects as our bodies struggle to metabolize them.
Kusenda also pointed out that marketing claims on infant food products can be misleading. Terms like “healthy” or “appropriate for child development” often distract from poor nutritional profiles. She called for stricter oversight of food production and marketing in the U.S.
While many baby food brands are available, a few companies, including Nestlé (maker of Gerber products), dominate the market. Nestlé did not respond to a request for comment.
Frances Fleming-Milici, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, criticized the misleading claims on packaging. Labels suggesting brain health benefits often confuse parents and do not necessarily reflect the actual content of the products.
A study published in JAMA Network Open in May found that ultra-processed foods increase the risk of obesity and cardiometabolic issues in children. Chronic diseases like fatty liver, once rare in children, are becoming more common due to these foods.
In April, the Agriculture Department proposed updated nutrition standards for school meals, aiming to limit added sugar, fat, and salt. Despite the childhood obesity epidemic, this rule faced criticism.
Fleming-Milici expressed frustration with companies that fail to improve their products, highlighting the need for better information to help parents make informed choices for their children.
